Life

What's On: Ballyclare May Fair one of the few horse fairs left in the north

Jacqueline McGonigle of whatsonni.com shares her pick of family events across the north this week

ANTRIM

The annual Ballyclare May Fair takes place this weekend. The May Fair is one of the few horse fairs left in Northern Ireland. The event has grown to be more than a horse fair, with amusements, family activities, music concerts, mayor's parade, sports events and exhibitions. Local shops compete for the best-dressed window, and children take part in fun days and competitions.

ARMAGH

See Brenda Murphy and Martin Lynch’s Crazy this Friday evening at the Market Place Theatre, Armagh. It tells the story of young Belfast woman Ruby and her search for true love. Throw in the greatest hits of Patsy Cline and Garth Brooks and audiences are set for a great night out. Starring Caroline Curran.

BELFAST

This Sunday the QFT’s autism-friendly screening is Kiki’s Delivery Service. An exciting story about a young girl named Kiki, who grows in confidence as she adapts her flying skills to create a broomstick delivery service. This coming-of-age tale is a wonderful and humorous animation from Studio Ghibli. Thirty minutes before the film begins there will be free refreshments, a pre-screen art activity and short introduction to the film by Shelley Tracey.

DERRY

Nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty is brought to the stage in a live interactive all-singing and dancing production this Saturday at the Millennium Forum. Sing along, solve puzzles and meet lots of famous children’s characters along the way including The Three Little Pigs, Little Bo Peep, all the animals on Old MacDonald’s Farm and many more. When Humpty climbs the highest wall in the Kingdom, who knows what might happen next?

DOWN

Big Telly Theatre Company presents The Faerie Thorn at the Web Theatre, Newtownards, this Friday, May 19. This production recreates Jane Talbot’s dark, imaginative and bewitching tales, propelling the audience into a world of devilish debts, trysts and trades, broken bargains and unjust trials; of magic, quick-wittedness, hoodwinking and revenge. The Faerie Thorn is witty, dark and wickedly comedic, dealing with inexorable human tensions in a way that is shocking and yet terrifyingly familiar. Recommended for age 14+. Tickets are from ardsarts.com.

FERMANAGH

Phil Collins and Genesis tribute show ‘And Finally... Phil Collins’ celebrate their 10th anniversary year together, recreating all the classic hits from the Phil Collins and Genesis back catalogue. See them live this Friday at the Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen.

TYRONE

Cookstown goes continental when the food and flavours, sights and sounds of Europe and beyond come to the town centre this weekend (Saturday, 9am-9pm; Sunday 11am-7pm). The Continental Market will feature over 40 traders from Morocco, India, Belgium, France, Russia, Holland, Spain and China, as well as local traders from the weekly street market.

:: For more details on these events and to add your events free go to whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni.com for news, competitions and what’s on near you.