Bridge Street celebrations

pacemaker press 30/3/13 Richard Wallace and his donkey Denis enjoy a great day at the Lisburn city centre managment fun day in Lisburn. picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press

The Bridge Street & Castle Gardens Festival takes place on Saturday May 4 from 11am-7.30pm with a fantastic line up of activities, music, history and heritage for all the family.

Come along and enjoy an array of food and free family fun activities from 11am-5pm including children’s theatre, puppet shows, crafts, face painting, mini petting zoo and amusements.

There will be lots of historic and heritage displays and activities on offer including traditional games, basket weaving, blacksmithing and tours of Castle Gardens.

On Bridge Street call into the two pop up galleries to view artwork and photographs of Bridge Street before, during and after the Bridge Street Townscape Heritage Initiative and see the remarkable change.

What better way to end the festival than with two excellent folk and bluegrass bands.

Enjoy compelling live performances from Wookalily, a female-led band, from 5pm -5.45pm and Southern Tenant Folk Union, one of the most highly acclaimed folk/bluegrass bands in the UK today, from 6pm-7.30pm. Spend the early evening in Castle Gardens with a picnic and soak in the atmosphere.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has invested a total of £4.5 million into the historic heart of Lisburn, helping to transform the city’s built, natural and cultural heritage.

Head of HLF Northern Ireland, Paul Mullan, said: “We are delighted that HLF funding has reaped such fantastic benefits for both the city and people of Lisburn.

“The Bridge Street and Castle Gardens Festival is the perfect way for the local community to come together to celebrate the unique heritage of the city and the amazing transformation that has taken place over the last decade”.

Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman Lisburn City Centre Management commented, “The investment by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Lisburn City Council and other partners through the Bridge Street Townscape Heritage Initiative, has helped reintroduce the essence of the historical streetscape back into one of the oldest surviving streets in Lisburn’s historic heart. This festival is a great way to reflect upon, and celebrate what has been achieved as the initiative draws to a close.”

Bridge Street Festival is guaranteed to be a fantastic free day out. To find out more information please contact Lisburn City Centre Management 02892 660625 or follow us on facebook.com/Lisburncity.