Jacqueline McGonigle
of whatsonni.com shares her pick of family events across the north this week
DOWN CELEBRATE summer at the Summer Garden Fete at Mountstewart this Saturday and Sunday. Pick up some plants from visiting garden nurseries, tour the gardens at Mount Stewart or settle back and enjoy the family entertainment.
DOWN THE ever-fabulous Frock Around The Clock Vintage & Handmade Fair will be returning to the historical Lissan House, Cookstown on Sunday June 29 from 12 to 5pm. The event will feature around 40 fabulous sellers of quality vintage, handmade and upcycled fashion, jewellery, furniture, homewares and collectibles plus sweet treats, retro art and gifts.
Admission £5.
FERMANAGH THE Derrygonnelly Fun Day on Friday and Saturday will commence at 7.30pm with a Soap Box Derby in the village adjacent with a historical display in the Methodist Church - followed by a BBQ and dance in Tir Navar on the Friday evening. On the Saturday there will be a Fun Day from 2pm to 5pm.
DERRY EVEN more than The Beatles, The Beach Boys found through their music the key to unfading youth - and they made copies for everyone. The Beach Boys last played Belfast and Dublin to sell-out shows and this is their first time to play outside Belfast and Dublin so Derry will be full of summer sounds this Thursday at Ebrington Square.
ARMAGH SEE Steel Magnolias at the Market Place Theatre on Saturday June 28. Robert Harling's quintessential story of friendship and trust, Steel Magnolias serves up a southern slice of life that's as warm and comforting as sweet potato pie. In the world of Truvy's local-homegrown beauty salon, six very different women come together to share their secrets, fears and love for one another.
ANTRIM The Portush Regatta June 28 & 29 is a two-day dinghy and cruiser racing programme organised by Coleraine Yacht Club in association with Coleraine Borough Council launching from the harbour, Portrush.
BELFAST Get out the glad rags - it's jazz time. Join the restored 1960s steam train at Belfast Central. Relax as you leave the city behind and enjoy the sounds of New Orleans jazz from the Apex Jazz Band as we pause at stations which could be anywhere on the Northern Ireland railway network. On Friday June 27 and July 4, steam trains depart Belfast Central station at 7.25pm and return to Belfast Central again at 11.40pm. Tickets cost £27 each and are available from the Belfast Welcome Centre, 9 Donegall Square North, Belfast or online from www.steamtrainsireland.com/events.
* For more details on these and other events across Northern Ireland see www.whatsonni.com, follow us @ whatsonni and like us at fb.com/ www.whatsonni. Add your events free at www.whatsonni.