Ballymena Gets Ready for a Big 400th Birthday Celebration
Summer may be coming to a close, but the celebrations in Ballymena are just getting started, with two big days of activity planned as the town prepares to mark its 400th birthday.
The celebrations kick off on Saturday 22nd August with the End of Summer and Ballymena 400 Street Party, taking place on Greenvale Street from 11am until 2pm.
At the heart of the celebrations will be the Downtown Radio Roadshow, with Kirsty from Downtown Radio hosting the day and bringing plenty of music, entertainment and giveaways to the town centre.
There will be some fantastic prizes up for grabs throughout the afternoon, including concert tickets courtesy of Downtown Radio, alongside prizes from businesses across the town and wider Ballymena area.
Greenvale Street will be transformed for the occasion, with games, characters, face painting, balloon modelling, carnival rides and entertainment creating a fun-filled afternoon for all ages. K&G McAtamney will have the BBQ fired up, while picnic tables will provide the perfect spot to grab something to eat, sit back and enjoy the atmosphere.
Ballymena BID is encouraging visitors to make a full day of it. Come into town early, explore the shops, enjoy a coffee or lunch, join the Street Party and perhaps stay a little longer afterwards to discover more of what Ballymena has to offer.
The Street Party will kick-start a very special few days for the town before Tuesday 25th August, when Ballymena officially celebrates its 400th birthday.
On the day, businesses across the town centre will be joining the celebrations in their own way, with participating businesses planning coffee mornings, special discounts, goodie bags, competitions, treats, crafts, giveaways and more. Business celebrations are being released daily and will be published HERE – PLEASE CLICK.
The Ballymena BID team will also be out and about throughout the town centre with birthday goodies and spot prizes for visitors, so keep an eye out as you explore.
It’s the perfect opportunity to rediscover the town. Browse the end-of-season sales, enjoy something tasty, revisit an old favourite or pop into a business you’ve never been inside before. You might just discover a new Ballymena favourite along the way.
There will be something for every generation to enjoy, whether you’re bringing the kids or grandchildren, meeting friends for lunch, planning a shopping trip or simply coming into town to be part of the celebrations.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council will also be joining the birthday celebrations, with birthday cake and activities in Wellington Court during the day before a spectacular fireworks display at People’s Park brings Ballymena’s official birthday to a close.
Ballymena BID would like to thank the Department for Communities for its support in helping to bring this activity to Ballymena and ensuring the town centre can play its part in celebrating this important milestone.
Four hundred years is certainly something worth celebrating – and everyone is invited to come into Ballymena, join the party, support local businesses and celebrate together.
