THE Festival of Flight In One Cool Weekend sponsored by B/E Aerospace will see a multitude of chart-topping stars jetting into Newcastle, County Down on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th August. The line-up just keeps getting better and better with even more new acts still being announced.
The week-long festival, organised by Down District Council and PLM Promotions, runs from Monday 1st –Sunday 7th August and the One Cool Weekend festival stage is tuning up to be one of the province’s most eagerly anticipated concert events of the year.
PLM Promotions will bring a star-studded bevy of international artists to the Playing Fields, Castlewellan Road over two days, hosted on stage by the Cool FM DJs. On Saturday 6th between 5pm – 11pm, the seaside town will come alive with the sounds of The Feeling, Wretch 32, Wonderland, Colenso Parade, Relish, Microlip, Parade and Talay Riley. Earlier that day at 1.30pm the spectacular Red Arrows will perform a breathtaking air display overhead to wow tens of thousands of onlookers.
Plus there will also be a big ‘Cool Warm Up!’ before the Saturday concert gets going with the Cool FM DJs providing a full day of entertainment from 12 noon with music and giveaways live on the festival stage at the promenade, and a few surprises along the way.
The concert line-up for Sunday 7 August is equally impressive and amongst those providing massive musical entertainment between 3pm to 9pm will be Chipmunk, Hard-Fi, Ed Sheeran, Frankmusik, Starboy Nathan The Reason 4, A.J., A Plastic Rose and Silhouette and the ‘Cool Warm Up’ begins from 12 noon on the festival stage at the promenade – so don’t miss it!
[caption id="attachment_26237" align="alignright" width="267" caption="Chris Maginn and Shannon Morgan from Maginn's Bar Newcastle don their 70's garb to celebrate the vintage and retro aspect of the festival. Keep up-to-date at www.downdc.gov.uk , www.facebook.com /DownFestivals or pick up a FREE brochure at the Festival Office on 028 4372 2222"]
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Whilst the Red Arrows and the One Cool Weekend concerts are certainly topping the bill, the entire festival promises a week-long array of delights for all the family.
The ‘One Cool Weekend’ is one of a number of events planned by Northern Ireland’s biggest commercial radio station. “Cool FM is celebrating its 21st birthday this year in style”, says Eddie West, Programme Controller with Cool FM. “The concerts are part of a year long calendar of events planned to mark 21 years of bringing Northern Ireland close to great music. Cool FM is Northern Ireland’s most listened to commercial radio station and we are very excited to be bring this major event to Newcastle”
“Concert tickets are available from £14.99 (plus booking fee) and with a line-up of over 17 chart topping stars it certainly is amazing value.”
Foodies will look forward to sampling the delicious wares at the new Food Market which takes place on the Newcastle Promenade, Saturday 6th August between 10.00am – 5.00pm, featuring a decadent selection of home grown produce and dishes from local suppliers and vendors.
True to the festival title, aviation is at the forefront of the entertainment with memorabilia and themed events taking place across the week including a dramatic air and sea rescue display and a whole host of international aviation stars and aircraft to support the magnificent Red Arrows. On the ground, Newcastle library will host a fascinating selection of artefacts and photographs on loan from the Ulster Aviation Society and, at the Newcastle Centre, you can explore the History of Ulster’s Aviation Industry from Harland & Wolff to BE Aerospace.
Don’t miss the Air Cadets on the promenade who will have a Hunter aircraft cockpit and an aircraft ejection seat for visitors to check out.
Kids will certainly have a whale of a time with a wealth of activities on the festival programme to keep little ones of all ages happy, with kite workshops, treasure hunts, balloon modelling, facepainters, stilt walkers and beach activities such as an unusual aerial ‘kite ballet’ event.
The more adventurous people will love the Festival of Flight ‘Have-a-Go’ Sessions and adventure trail activities which will include rock climbing, mountain boarding, disc golf, slack-lining, Segways and an inflatable slide.
Businesses in the town and surrounding regions have also embraced the spirit of the festival and have laid on many special events throughout the celebrations. The excellent Miami Showband will entertain at the Newcastle Centre, there’ll be a beach party at Quinns Bar with music from ‘The Beatles’, The Donard Bar will host a 60’s Tribute Band & Fork Supper, and singer Tommy McNulty will play live at the Anchor Bar, to name but a few.
Look out also for the many ‘nostalgia and retro’ themed window displays which will bring a smile to your face as you explore the town during the festival.
On Saturday 6 August ample free parking will be provided at various locations close to Newcastle. FREE park and ride facilities will operate from Northfield on the Castlewellan Road, so why not take advantage of a stress free day and ‘Follow the Arrows’ to Newcastle.
The Festival of Flight In One Cool Weekend hosts over 40 events and lots of them are free for all the family to enjoy. Visit www.downdc.gov.uk or www.facebook/DownFestivals.com for further festival information. To obtain your FREE copy of the programme call the Festival Office or telephone 028 4372 2222. One Cool Weekend concert tickets and full line-up of artists are available at www.ticketmaster.ie and www.coolfm.co.uk .]]>
