What a great start to Gala Week. Thanks to everyone who came along to Burgerfest. A great afternoon of food, fun and activities was had at the Parklands. Thanks also to Johnny Reid for performing.
Gala Week 2022
Category Archives: 2022
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to us. Ferry FM today celebrates its 27th birthday, having launched on 15th July 1995. Where has the time gone. Join us over Gala week for lots of fun and craic.
New Programme for Ferry FM
New programme on Ferry FM as part of our summer schedule.
Event Registration
Bonnie Babies & Cute Kiddies
Sherlock’s Youth Challenge
Little Star Of The County Down
Kids Got Talent
Dog Show
Crazy Hair
Gardening Competition
Registration for the above events closes at 8pom on Friday 15th July. You can register via the Gala website:
https://www.portaferrygala.com/registration-2022
A number of Gala events are “Ticketed Events”. You must pre-purchase your tickets online. You will not be able to pay at the door. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite via the following:-
Burgerfest
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/burger-fest-burgers-games-kids-activities-live-music-and-lots-more-tickets-369034641547
Taste Your Town
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/taste-your-town-bespoke-guided-walking-tour-of-food-drink-hospitality-tickets-367520211847
Wine Tasting (SOLD OUT)
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wine-tasting-supper-the-narrows-tickets-346313712637
Bingo Loco (Additional Tickets on release Friday 15th July)
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bingo-loco-the-portaferry-gala-fest-22-tickets-346327453737
10 Mile Race
The 10 Mile Race returns to Galafest 2022. You must pre-register before the race. You will not be able to register on the night. Please register by 14th July via the Athletics NI website:-
https://athleticsni.org/Fixtures/Portaferry-10-Mile-Road-Race-and-Relay
Portaferry Gala Festival
Portaferry Gala Week runs from Saturday 16th to Friday 22nd July. We’d like to say Happy Emerald Anniversary as this year marks the 55th Portaferry Gala.
Ferry FM will be broadcasting live across Gala Week as well as some outside broadcasts from events around the town so make sure to come along and say hello.
Information on attending Gala Events
A message from the Portaferry Gala Team.
All Gala events advertised as a Ticketed event; Tickets for these events must be purchased online via Eventbrite prior to the start of the event.
* This years policy is strictly No Ticket No Admission
* Please do not arrive and expect to pay at the gate. If you don’t have a ticket on the day then you will be required to purchase ticket(s) via a digital device on the day. To avoid disappointment please purchase your ticket(s) in advance.
* Next year we will be working towards all charged admission events becoming ticket only
The Reason for this are:
1. Reducing cash handling for all the Gala team
2. Volunteers (limited)
3. Stats & records of attendance for funders, our records and insurance provider
4. Some events have a catering element and numbers are required in advance of event
5. Capacity numbers and event managing
6. Covid (reducing risk)
REMEMBER NO TICKET! NO ADMISSION!
All Events that are advertised with Admission price and ticketed and as with all tickets must be purchased online (which is universal). The Ticket Service Provider WILL ADD a processing fee. We apologise for an inconvenience and appreciate your support and understanding in moving forward with the Gala in modern times.
Sizzling Summer of Events in Portaferry
Ards and North Down Borough Council is delighted to announce a series of Council sponsored events taking place in Portaferry from July through to September. The collection makes the most of the town’s outstanding location, with wonderful landmarks and the beauty of the surrounding waters.
Narrows Series Regatta: 11th to 14th July
This Narrows Series Regatta welcomes over 140 boats to Strangford Lough. The Regatta launches on Monday 11 July with the Bar Buoy Race at the mouth of the lough and over the course of the event, spectators will see 13 classes of boats compete in a number of races.
Look out for Glens, Rivers, FFs, lasers, Dingeys and more! There will be other activities during the event and be sure to pop into ‘PAST’; Portaferry and Strangford Trust, which is featuring exhibitions on The Vikings on Strangford Lough and Paddle Boarding.
Website: http://www.strangfordloughregattas.co.uk/documents/PSC22%2814%29.pdf
Portaferry Gala: 16th to 22nd July
Portaferry Gala Festival celebrates its Emerald Anniversary this year, running for 55 years.
This 7-day programme has events including the brand-new Bingo Loco, Burger Fest, Taste your Town and Farming Community Day.
New this year will be ‘Talk of the Walk’, following a map trail around the streets of Portaferry and discovering some street entertainment on the way!
Website: www.portaferrygala.com
Sails and Sounds Festival: 4th to 7th August
Visitors can enjoy sea kayaking, SUP, Rowing, Ruffian Boats competitions along with environmental talks, crafts, and demos of all things maritime.
Portaferry’s heritage will be brought to life through a variety of displays, talks and exhibitions including from the awesome Magnus Viking Experience.
The festival will showcase local food, foraging, live music, dance, Sea Shanty workshops.
Website: www.portaferrysailsandsounds.com
Comedy Arts Festival: 16th to 25th September
This comedy event, part funded by Arts Council NI, runs across two weekends between 16 to 25 September and is held in the stunning Portico.
Kicking off the festival on Friday 16 September, is one of Ireland’s best loved comics – Neil Delamere of Blame Game fame, followed on Saturday 17 September by true life stories and poetry by the charming and raucous Owen O’Neill.
Earning over 60m fans on YouTube, Rainer Hersch’s ‘All Classical Music Explained’ show on Sunday 18 September, will be a comedic and musical spectacle for all the family!
The following weekend starts on Friday 23 September with a dazzling double bill of stand-up featuring Teresa Livingstone (The Blame Game, Soft Border Patrol, Late Licence) and Diona Doherty (The Blame Game, Derry Girls, What Happens In Ulster…).
Saturday 24 September is all dancing and all singing with the ever-fabulous Motown tribute group The Iconettes and their band The Hitzvilles.
Wrapping up the festival on the afternoon of Sunday 25 September, is a unique performance of silent movie with organ accompaniment. Leicester Square Odeon’s organist Donald Mackenzie will play an exciting live improvised score to Buster Keaton’s family friendly romantic comedy ‘The General.’
Website: www.porticoards.com
For information on all local events: visitardsandnorthdown.com
Jemma Snell, Events Officer, Ards and North Down Borough Council;
Patricia O’Neill, Portaferry Gala; John McAlea, Sails and Sounds
Gala 10 Mile Race
Tuesday 19th July 2022 sees the return of the Portaferry Gala 10 Mile Race. Athletics NI have introduced a new online entry system provided by Open Track. You must create an account with Open Track in order to register for the race.
Register here: https://athleticsni.org/Fixtures/Portaferry-10-Mile-Road-Race-and-Relay
Gala Week Bingo
Bingo Loco is coming to Portaferry Gala on Wednesday 20th July 2022.
Bingo like you’ve never seen before…. Prizes, Rave Rounds, Conga Lines, Dance Offs and much more. Tickets £20 pp. Strictly Over 18s only. Bar facilities available.
Tickets available via Eventbrite from Friday 27th May 2022.
Kite Peninsula
Ards Peninsula Kite Festival is back for 2022. It will be held on Sunday 21st August 2022 at Millisle Beach.
