THIS year, rather than ‘resting on our laurels’ Down District Council have continued to develop the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight which takes off on Saturday 10 August.
The festival programme is just rolling off the press and will be with you shortly but the plans have been revealed for a fantastic new ground exhibition in an ‘Aviation Village’ located in Donard Car Park.
Ann Moreland, Down District Council Events Development Officer, said: “It is important that we continue to develop and grow this event and this year we have the wonderful addition of an ‘Aviation Village’ in Donard Car Park, so it will be a great attraction for the tens of thousands of visitors expected to arrive in Newcastle on the day.
[caption id="attachment_40811" align="alignleft" width="390"]
Looking forward to supporting Northern Ireland’s biggest and most exciting annual celebration of aviatio is Cadet Flight Sergeant Ryan Patton from Killyleagh. Organised by Down District Council, the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight on Saturday 10 August is a fabulous free event.[/caption]
“We have a great day in store for everyone and the many local businesses who have continued to support the festival will be making a big effort with great window displays and we can expect to see pilots, props and plenty of promotions on offer from U105 who will be hosting the festival stage entertainment with Maurice Jay and Julian Simmons.
“Visitors young and old will be delighted with what’s on offer. The RAF will be joining us not only in the skies above Newcastle, but this year we will have a full scale Typhoon fascamilie of this amazing aircraft and visitors will have the opportunity to sit in the cockpit and see what it’s like to be a real aviator! The RAF Cadets will also be on hand to showcase their Hunter Cockpit and if you’re up for a climb (and I don’t mean Slieve Donard) then you can have a go on their climbing wall for free.
“As we are expecting the Avro Vulcan XH558 howling around the Mournes, we will also be welcoming their static display team who will have a wealth of information, memorabilia and of course some great gifts that can be bought as mementos to bring home!
“While our very own Ulster Aviation Society will be showing casing some of our aviation heritage from Northern Ireland straight from their collection located in their WWII hangar at Long Kesh/Maze. We will have plenty of vintage military vehicles and the entertaining ‘Wartime Living History Association’ who will no doubt be whizzing around in their jeeps and on parade on the prom, throughout the day! Always popular are the Ulster Model Aircraft Club from Nutts Corner.”
“The acrobatic displays will be the most spectacular we have see yet over the Mourne skies,” said Ann Moreland, “And we hope that visitors will come to Newcastle early in the morning as the Aviation Village will be open from 10am. U105 will be on stage from 12 Noon with great music, interviews and competitions to keep you all up to date with what’s happening. Following the air displays, the amazing Johnny Cash and June Carter Tribute act aka brother and sister team JP Mac and Caroline Parker will take to the stage around 5pm for a cruise through his back catalogue of incredible hits!
“We want to take the strain out the whole day so there will be plenty of free park and ride available from the Northfield site, located on the Castlewellan Road, while on the approach from Kilkeel additional free park and walk will be signed for Shimna Integrated College via Kings Street. Donard Overflow Car Park will be accessed via Shan Slieve Drive as the Car Park will be hosting the Aviation Village. On the Dundrum Road free park and walk will be available, so pick up the AA road signs and watch the traffic messaging as you approach.”
Animated Stilt Walkers, Street Performers, Balloon Modelling and Face Painting along with the Kids Art World Flying Colours Workshop and Sharp Dressed Men (Street Theatre) will be running from 10.30am so there’s no excuse to leave it to the last minute as we all the family will be entertained throughout the day.
Information on the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight is available at: Â www.downdc.gov.uk.
Follow on: Â Â www.facebook/DownFestivals.com
To find out more about B/E Aerospace visit:Â www.beaerospace.com
]]>
