The fantastic Ballymena Steam Rally makes a welcome return to the town this weekend, promising two days of fun and discovery for all ages.
Hosted by one of the longest established vintage clubs in Northern Ireland, The Traction Engine Club of Ulster organised the original gathering of Steamrollers and Steam Lorries at the Castle Grounds in Antrim in August 1968. The first rally featured seven local engines plus visitors from England and Ireland.
Over the last five decades as the club increased and the annual event grew larger, the much anticipated outing moved to the Ballee Playing Fields in Ballymena which offered greater areas of hard standing, car parking, and improved site access.
Now attracting many from across Ireland, this year marks 56 years of the rally and the 2024 event will take place over two days, from 12 noon till late on Friday 19 July, and from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 20 July.
Big crowds are once again expected to attend and enjoy the spectacle of steam and transport from times past. The engines have been lovingly restored over months - sometimes years - of hard graft by determined enthusiasts, to their original pristine glory, with the cherished artefacts revealing the life and times of our agricultural heritage.
The Festival of Steam features a large range of attractions and activities including:
• Free Bouncy Castles and Petting Farms for all ages.
• Majestic Steam Engines including a Scenic Showman's and other steam vehicles, models etc.
• Fairground Organ Melodies and other music both vintage and modern.
• Mighty Competition Tractor Pulling Competitors defending last year's individual titles.
• Working Stationary Engines constantly on display.
• Traditional Working Arenas with scheduled demonstrations of shingle cutting, green wood turning and blacksmithing skills.
• Classic and Vintage Vehicle exhibits, this year's special features will be the Ford Anglia, Popular & Prefect cars and the Ford 100 tractor series.
• Trade & Craft Stands.
Cavalcade of vehicles around Ballymena
Steam Engines and other vintage vehicles will take part in the ‘Vintage Country Comes to Modern Ballymena Town’ parade this evening, Friday 19th July, starting at 6:30pm.
Look out for agricultural vehicles with attached very rare implements and see if you can work out their previous use in years past.
By necessity Steam Engines will only progress as far as Wakehurst Road where they will remain on display for a short time while drivers enjoy tea and coffee kindly provided by Nadine’s Cafe.
In due course they will then progress back to the rally in tandem with the returning larger cavalcade.
Once back on the rally site everyone will be welcome to enjoy some food and light entertainment in the marquee and the opportunity to win some prizes as donated by locals in aid of the event’s designated charities.
Calvalcade route:
Ballee Road West - Antrim Road - Wakehurst - Larne Road - Queen Street - Harryville Bridge - Mill Street - Wellington Street - Church Street - Bridge Street - Harryville Bridge - Queen Street - Antrim Road - Ballee Playing Fields.
Programme of Events
FRIDAY SPECIALS
• 12.00 Official Rally Opening with fairground organ medley
• 12.30 TECU Traditional wood cutting
• 12.30 Competition tractor pulling (all day)
• 1.30 Traditional corn threshing
• 2.30 Cutting roof shingles the traditional way
• 3.30 Forging a traditional poker
• 4.30 Green wood turning a dibbler
• 5.30 Line up for Cavalcade
• 6.30 Start Cavalcade
• 9.00 Entertainment in the marquee starring upcoming C&W singer Cliodhna
All day events
• Stationary engine running exhibits
• Working Steam Engines & Rides
• Trade & craft stands
• Animal displays
• Free bouncy castles
• Music
• Feel free to walk around and get up close to the various and individual exhibits and speak with volunteers.
SATURDAY SPECIALS
• 10.00 Fairground organ Medley
• 10.00 Steaming up Engines
• 10.30 Steam rides
• 10.30 Tractor pulling heats
• 11.00 Parade of Spark plug vehicles
• 11.00 Lawnmower racing heats
• 11.30 TECU wood cutting big saw
• 12.00 Seven Towers Irish dancing Part 1
• 12.30 Corn Threshing
• 12.30 Downshire Brass Park Music Part 1
• 1.00 Green wood turning a dibbler
• 1.30 Seven Towers Irish Dancing Part 2
• 1.30 Forging a poker from start to finish
• 2.00 Downshire Brass Part 2
• 2.30 TECU cutting roof shingles
• 2.30 Parade of themed Ford Cars
• 3.00 Parade of Ford tractors
• 3.30 Tractor pulling finals
• 3.30 Lawnmower racing finals
• 4.30 Presentation of Prize winners
• 4.30 Presentations to exhibitors on exit
• 5.00 Rally ends
ADMISSION
Festival of Steam and Transport
Friday 19 July (12 noon - late)
Saturday 20 July (10am - 5pm)
Ballee Playing Fields, Ballee Road West, Ballymena
BT42 2HS
Admission Prices:
Adults £10
Senior Citizen £8
Children 16 and under FREE
