Coleraine Festival Committee presented a festival of Culture from 7th – 12th July 2006 which achieved its objectives by giving out reach to the whole community of the Borough; inviting people from all backgrounds within our society to experience our heritage and culture showcased in a positive and peaceful environment.

We provided a wide range of activities to enable young and old alike to have a fun festival, which included, a junior 5-A-Side football, a motor bike stunt show, Ulster Scots music, an historical exhibition, an adults It’s-A-Knockout competition, presentations, a pageant of culture and a fun day, culminating with the annual Twelfth of July celebrations; which was attended by record crowds from all over the Borough, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, mainland UK, Europe, Canada and the USA.

Benefits  of Coleraine Twelfth Festival in July 2006 to the Borough of Coleraine

• Tourism:- The 2006 festival brought an influx of visitors, estimated to have been in excess of 20,000, to the Borough from all over Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, mainland UK and Europe, to sample our culture. This would obviously have made a big impact on local tourism sites within the North Coast area.
• Local Economy:- Hotels, bars, shops and restaurants have all indicated that due to the influx of these extra visitors profits were up on this period in previous years. With continued improvement in our festival showing our culture in a manner that is not offensive, and our continued effort to encourage other cultures to sample our heritage and educate them further about it, in an enjoyable and fun way, can only strengthen the economy further.
• Citizens of Coleraine:- The theme of Coleraine Twelfth Festival in 2006 was outreach to all sections of the community to try and dispel some of the myths and misconceptions associated with the Orange Order, and to showcase what our culture and heritage is about. This was achieved, with great success, by inviting other cultures to take an active part in the festival. The marketing value to the Borough of Coleraine was huge, with TV crews form BBC & UTV filming events throughout the week. A bigger festival in 2007 can only be of benefit to the Borough in terms of tourism, the local economy and creating an environment of understanding in which people can live in a multi-cultural and tolerant society.

Coleraine Twelfth Festival Programme of Events July 2006

The programme of events for the festival was intended to provide an insight into our culture and heritage, in a non-offensive way, to all communities in the Borough; at the same time providing a week of varied activities, including a fun element, to entertain and involve people of all ages.

The Exhibition of Loyal Orders:- This exhibition, by Lagan Valley Historical Society and held in Killowen Orange Hall, was attended by over 400 people of all ages throughout the day, and gave the public an insight into the workings of the Orange Order. It incorporated displays of flags and artefacts from hundreds of years ago through to recent times, with material from many local Lodges being displayed.

Ulster Scots Experience Show:- The Ulster Scots Experience, a group of 12 musicians from all over Northern Ireland, played to an audience in the Diamond area of the town centre on a busy Saturday afternoon. They gave everyone an opportunity to sample the music enjoyed throughout our history with their playing of the fiddle, dulcimer and drums, among other instruments.

Five-A-Side Football & It’s A Knockout competitions:- The 5-a-side competition attracted teams from various communities, with players coming from local youth football clubs and from as far a field as Armagh. The competition, which was split into three age groups, allowed children ranging in age from 9 to 16 to enjoy a fun filled evening. The It’s a Knockout competition provided a fun, but competitive, event for adults; with 10 teams of 5 taking part in the game, run along the lines of the TV version, and presented by Gareth Fulton Entertainments.

Motor Bike Stunt Show:- Presented by Extreme Motor Cycles, this event in Coleraine Showgrounds was attended by over 500 members of the general public. The skilful, high octane display of stunts by two of the most experienced stunt bike riders in the world was breathtaking for everyone who watched. Entertainment was provided at the interval by a DJ.

Twelfth Celebrations:- The ‘Twelfth’ saw the culmination of the week long festival, with the aim being to give a fun and entertaining feel to the day while celebrating our cultural heritage, and show out reach to all cultures within the community. We had members of the Chinese community taking part in the pageant and entertaining spectators with a display of Chinese Dragon dancing. A colourful insight into our history was provided by King William, on horseback, accompanied by Williamite foot soldiers, in full period costume. Two local children, helped lead the pageant dressed as a young William and Mary, while clowns, stilt walkers and a mardi-gras band provided a fun element to the overall atmosphere. The Ulster Scots Experience, on an open top bus, preceded the main parade and entertained the waiting crowds. In the field, bouncy castles, jugglers, face painters and different rides, ensured an afternoon of entertainment for thousands of children. Mandragora, a group of musicians, led a workshop to provide an insight into how people lived in the 1690’s, the music they played and how it has evolved over the years.

Overall the Twelfth Festival had a positive impact, bringing many visitors to the Borough to enjoy a fun filled programme of events which was enjoyed by all cultures within our community. Record numbers of spectators enjoyed the ‘Twelfth’ in Coleraine, and with no reports of any trouble throughout the week, the image portrayed can only be positive. The marketing value of future festivals must be encouraging, with the celebration of our heritage helping to produce a community tolerant to the cultural differences of our growing multi-cultural society.