The village of Portglenone is getting ready for Gig’n the Bann 2018. This is the 19th year of the Cross Community Music, Song and Dance Festival which attracts an impressive line-up of performers each year. As always a very full programme of events has been organised to run from Thursday 13th to Sunday 16th September 2018.

We checked out the programme and there really is something for everyone. Here are some of the highlights of this year’s Festival.

Gig’n the Bann 2018

Thursday 13th sees the return of the very popular 5K Run’n the Bann/Walk’n the Bann. It starts at 7pm with admission proceeds going to support the work of the Northern Ireland Hospice local support group. Full details on the Gig’n the Bann website here.

The Wild Duck Inn is the place to be on Friday night for a concert starting at 8pm – Admission £10

On Saturday 15th from 2pm the Bank Square on Main Street will be filled with the sound of bagpipes as Pipe’n the Bann takes place. Admission is free and several local bands are confirmed to take part. A Family Fun Day is also planned for Saturday as is the Festival Concert in the Wild Duck Riverside Suite, starting at 8:30pm.

There will be Family Fun organised by Partytime Events available in Bank Square from 12noon on Sunday 16th. There’s also Praise’n the Bann at Bank Square from 6:30pm and the final concert of this year’s Festival including the Contribution to Music Awards in the Wild Duck, starting at 7:30pm.

On top of all that there’s an art exhibition by Anthony O’Hagan running in the Mallard Suite in the Wild Duck from Friday to Sunday. Also singing and traditional music sessions in several local venues.

Click here to see the full programme and read all their news on the Gig’n the Bann website. Find Gig’n the Bann on Facebook here.