The Route

The parade will assemble on the Warren Road in Donaghadee, the main road between Groomsport and Donaghadee, at 11.00am and will move of at 12.00 noon. Upper Ards DLOL 11 as host District will lead the parade with the other three Districts following in numerical order.

The route to the Demonstration Field which is at The Commons will be via :

Warren Road, Shore Street, Parade before turning right into Manor Street at the top of which they will turn left onto the Millisle Road where it will proceed along until it turns left into The Commons.

The Field The Commons, a beautiful 16 acre park overlooking the sea with a childrens playground, will be the venue for "The Field." There will be a platform where the Religous Service will be held and the Resolutions for 2012 can be heard. Each year at it's 12th July commemorations the Orange Order approves resolutions on faith, loyalty and state. Before the Service Willie Drennan's Ulster-Scot Band will be providing the entertainment and the North Irish Dragoons Society will have a 17th century period military encampment where they will perform historical equestrian, musket and canon firing displays as well as giving visitors the opportunity to see what life would have been like for campaigning soldiers during the Williamite Wars in Ireland. There will also be a number of stalls selling a wide variety of products as well as bouncy castles and fairground rides to keep the children entertained. The organisers would like to appeal to visitors to dispose of their rubbish responsibly and use the bins provided, they would also ask people to show respect while the religous service is being conducted.

Donaghadee town centre is just a short walk away and we would encourage visitors to take the time to explore the town as it has many points of interest as well as some fine independant retailers.

Stall Holders

Applications for pitches at the assembly point and demonstration field have now closed.

The Return Route

The parade will leave The Commons past the Marina, Bus Station and Community Centre before turning left onto the Parade it will then make it's way along the Parade, New Street, High Street, Bridge Street and Shore Street. Upper Ards District LOL 11 will then break ranks to salute the visiting Districts. Bangor and Holywood Districts will proceed back along the Warren Road to board their buses, while Newtownards District will turn left onto the New Road where they will also board their buses.
After forming up again Upper Ards District will then turn left onto the New Road before turning left into Bennetts Avenue, left into East Street before turning right onto Shore Street again where they will make their way along the Parade to board their buses at New Street.

Car Parking The official Upper Ards District LOL 11 car park will be located at the Marina Car Park which is located beside The Commons. Access to the car park is via the Parade (shorefront). Drive into the centre of the town until you get to the shorefront drive towards the harbour and take the last turning on the right just before the harbour, continue on past the the Community Centre and Bus Station and turn right into the car park. There will be a charge for this car park and it will be operated on a first come first served basis, so the advice is to get there early. There will be a limited number of disabled parking spaces available at the other end of The Commons which will allow you to view the parade from your car. Only those people with a current disabled parking permit will be admitted and the holder of any such permit must be in the car. See Route Map Above for Car Park Locations

To gain access to this car park drive through Donaghadee following the signs for Millisle you will see The Commons signposted on your left, turn in and just follow the road until you see the car park. Alternatively if you are travelling up the Ards Peninsula from Millisle The Commons is on your right just as you come into Donaghadee
There are also car parks at William Street and on Shore Street although parking spaces are somewhat limited and our advice would be to get there early. The car park in William Street can be accessed by travelling along the shorefront ( Parade ) until the one way system turns to the right, signposted for Millisle, immediately after turning right take a left into Bow Street and follow it along until you see the car park on your left in William Street. The car park on Shore Street sits right below the Moat and facing the small boatyard, slipway just before the War Memorial. There will also be on street parking in various areas around the town, but we would ask that people do not park along the parade route.

Alcohol Free Zone

The PSNI with the support of the organisers of both the Festival and the 12th July Parade, will be operating a zero tolerance approach to the drinking of alcohol in public places. The Police have the power to confiscate alcohol in public places, other than licensed premises, under Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998.
This act states that where an officer in uniform reasonably suspects that a person is consuming intoxicating liquor, the officer may require that person:
• to surrender anything in his possession which is, or which the officer reasonably believes to be, intoxicating liquor, and
• to state his name and address.

There will be licensed premises open in the town but most will be only admitting parties that have pre-booked.

Marshalling

The orgnaisers would ask everyone to obey any instructions from either the PSNI or Official Marshals as they are there to try and make things run as smoothly and safely as possible for all concerned.

If you require any further information please Contact Upper Ards District LOL 11.

Donaghadee Annual Divine Service

The three Donaghadee Lodges will also be hosting their Annual Divine Service on Sunday 8th July 2012. The Brethren will assemble at Manor Street Orange Hall in the town at 2.15pm before making their way to Donaghadee Parish Church for the divine service at 3.00pm. Upon leaving the church the Lodges will make their way back to Manor Street Orange Hall. The local women's Lodge, Womens LOL 57 and the newly formed Blue Banner Junior LOL 781 will also be in attendance and the parade will be led by the Harbour Star Accordion Band.