Stormont funding for Belfast Orangefest ‘an important step forward’

The allocation of funding from Stormont for a “rejuvenated” Belfast Orangefest has been welcomed as an “important step forward”.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced £40,000 for the initiative aimed at making July 12 celebrations in the Northern Ireland capital more inclusive.

Orangefest, first established by the County Grand Lodge of Belfast in 2007, has developed a wider strategy of activities which will see the brand being used throughout the year for education, celebration and commemoration events.

“This support will enable Orangefest to engage with other bodies to make this year’s Twelfth of July celebrations an even more inclusive and family friendly event,” Mr Lyons said.

“Orange celebrations are one of the largest, long-standing events of their kind in Belfast, attracting tens of thousands of domestic visitors, and year-on-year, increasingly many more from Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland and many other parts of the world.

“This funding will help maximise the economic, social and cultural opportunities for Belfast city centre.”

Orangefest director Spencer Beattie welcomed the funding as “an important step forward for Belfast Orangefest”.

“It gives us the opportunity to work behind the scenes to secure the necessary funding and partnerships to not only to reinvigorate the Twelfth of July celebrations, but also to deliver a year-round programme that reflects the heritage, culture and diversity of our city,” he said.

“We’re committed to building meaningful connections with communities right across Belfast and creating opportunities for learning, participation and shared celebration.”