Over 40 bands bring huge crowds to the streets of Antrim

HUGE crowds lined the streets of Antrim town on Saturday night for another successful event organised by Ballycraigy Sons of Ulster.

The day began with a Men’s Big Breakfast and Health & Wellbeing morning, in association with Impact Network NI, with free health checks and haircuts on offer.

A fun day then took place at Ulster Bar Corner, and lambeg drums and flute bands entertained the crowds before the main parade at 8pm.

An after party then took place at the Anchor Bar, which was full to capacity.

A spokesperson for Ballycraigy Sons of Ulster said: “Fantastic day from start to finish for the band.

“Firstly we would like to thank everyone who came and supported our big breakfast morning.

“It’s good to see the fun day getting bigger each year, a fantastic crowd in the Ulster Bar Corner enjoying the day with their families, which is what it’s all about.

“A big thanks to Seven Towers Drumming Club, who over the last number of years hasn’t hesitated to come and play for us outside the Hall, your support has been greatly appreciated over the years.

“We would like to thank Lisburn Young Defenders Flute Band for playing a set before the parade started this year and for leading our parade for the second year in a row, it’s greatly appreciated.

“We had a total of 44 bands parade through the streets of Antrim town, the quality of bands was brilliant, it was good too see new bands down for the first time and a few old bands coming back for the first time in a few years.

“It was probably up there with the biggest crowds Antrim town has seen for a band parade, we would like to thank the general public for donating money towards the band and for lining the streets.

“Big thanks to Robert Graham Memorial Flute Band for lending us their bass drum at the end of the night when our skin went in.

“The after party in the Anchor Bar did not disappoint, Clogher Valley Grenadiers and Portavogie Red Hand Defenders had the place bouncing, we would like to apologise to the people who didn’t get in but we had hit capacity and couldn’t risk over loading the bar.

“It’s the bands 55th anniversary next year and we hope to go even bigger and better for our annual parade, Saturday August 22nd, 2026.”