Issue 214 - BT22 • BT23
Popular Sea Bangor Festival Date Announced
There will be lots of nautical fun both on and off the water at the popular Sea Bangor Festival on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June.
Representatives of Ards and North Down Borough Council, including the mayor, Cllr Karen Jennifer Gilmore, pictured with John Thompson and Carol Forster of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, alongside naturalist, Eoin Warner. Ards and North Down Borough Council won both Seaside Awards and Blue Flags for their area.
Success for Ards and North Down at the Beach and Marina Awards Five sites in Ards and North Down are among the 2024 winners of the international Blue Flag Award and the UK-wide Seaside Award. Bangor Marina is one of nine beaches and seven marinas in Northern Ireland that earned the prestigious Blue Flag Award distinction. Blue Flag winning sites must meet world-class standards in criteria such as safety, accessibility, cleanliness, environmental education and, for beaches, water quality.
A representative from Boatfolk said; “Boatfolk is thrilled to celebrate the standards achieved by Bangor Marina in earning the Blue Flag Award. This accolade underscores our commitment to providing top-tier marina services while upholding the highest standards of environmental
stewardship. We are proud to contribute to making Northern Ireland a premier destination for mariners around the world, and we remain dedicated to fostering a love of the marine environment within our community.” A further 6 NI beaches received Seaside Awards, including Ballywalter South, Cloughey,
Groomsport and Millisile Beaches. The Seaside Award is the UK’s mark of quality that ensures visitors are guaranteed to find a clean, safe, attractive, and well-managed coastal stretch.
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This year’s free-to-attend Festival marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings and a 1940s themed programme is planned to commemorate the occasion. A great programme of music acts will bring a nostalgic feel to the city with a lively mix of ‘40s favourites, and Quay Street Car Park will have a holiday atmosphere with 1940s themed fun! While kids can enjoy activities at the beach area, funfair rides and entertainment throughout the weekend, Eisenhower Pier will host some fantastic food demos at the Demo Kitchen. Chefs from South Eastern Regional College (SERC) will create tasty dishes using fresh, local produce, and you will be able to pick up some delicious treats from a range of local food and drink stalls, hot food trucks, ice
cream, and an outdoor bar. Entertainment will be provided by the Leading Ladies and Soda Popz. The Leading Ladies are billed as Northern Ireland’s premier vocal harmony trio. They are award-winning singers and have been performing a broad range of musical styles for 20 years. The sensational Soda Popz will add to the atmosphere with their high energy, nostalgic Rock ‘n Roll show. The Bangor singers and local musicians will provide an authentic tribute to the fabulous hits of the 1940s. Adding to the occasion will be lots of friendly rivalry in the annual rowing competition on Saturday 1 June (12noon to 2.30pm) where local teams battle it out to secure the prestigious rowing cup! For more information, go to visitardsandnorthdown.com/ seabangor