Thousands of marching band enthusiasts are expected to attend the County Antrim Grand Black Chapter Annual Commemoration, being hosted this year in Ballymena on Saturday 31 August.
Ballymena Royal Black District Chaper No. 2 will host this year’s Demonstration. A total of 79 preceptories will be accompanied by 75 bands, including flute, accordion and pipe.
Around 4,500 participants are expected in the procession, comprising around 2,500 Sir Knights and up to 2,000 members of marching bands.
Six districts will be taking part: Lisburn, Ballymena, Antrim, Larne, Ballymoney and Ballyclare.
The Royal Black Institution was founded in 1797, two years after the Loyal Orange Institution, making this year its 227th Anniversary.
Sovereign Grand Master Rev William Anderson will be among the principal platform speakers at this year’s event in Ballymena.
He said:
“The members of almost 80 preceptories – around 2,500 Sir Knights - are taking part in the parade and we look forward to welcoming a huge number of supporters for a great family day out in Ballymena.
“As with all our other demonstrations on the day, the institution’s principled stance on the Reformed Christian Faith will be to the forefront of the occasion.”
The event was last held in Ballymena in 2016.
Assembling at Ballymena Showgrounds, the parade will make its way to the Demonstration Field at Ballee Playing Fields.
The main procession, starting at 12 noon, goes via Ballymena Showgrounds, Warden Street, Broughshane Street, Broadway, Wellington Street, Mill Street, Bridge Street, Harryville Bridge, Queen Street, Antrim Road and Ballee Road West.
Platform proceedings are scheduled for 3.00pm.
A service of worship will be conducted by the Rev David McCarthy, County Grand Chaplain. Sir Knight Gordon Eccles, Wor District Master, Ballymena No 2, will chair proceedings, at which the guest speaker is Rt Wor Sir Knight Thomas Greer, Chaplain RBP 173.
Return route (at 4:15pm) is via Ballee Road West, Antrim Road, Queen Street, Salisbury Square, Henry Street, Larne Street, Larne Road and Wakehurst Road.
‘Last Saturday’ demonstrations are also taking place in Ballygalley, Beragh, Holywood, Killyleagh and Raphoe.
Meanwhile, Ballymena Royal Black District Chapter No. 2 will host their Annual Church Parade & Service on Sunday 25 August.
Sir Knights will meet at Ballymena Protestant Hall at 5:30pm, moving off at 6.00pm and parading to Ballymena Methodist Church, for their evening service.
Following the service, the parade will make its way back to the Memorial Park for an Act of Remembrance “for those who made the supreme sacrifice in the two world wars and all conflicts since”.