Welcome to the Red Sails Festival 2009

19th - 25th July

The Red Sails Festival takes place in the picturesque seaside town of Portstewart, Northern Ireland, approximately twenty miles from the world famous tourist attractions of the Giants Causeway and Bushmills distillery.

The weeklong event is organized and funded by the voluntary Portstewart Community Association in conjunction with Coleraine Borough Council. It is predominantly a free festival , which combines a diverse range of entertainment for all ages and competitions for children. Our aim is to provide a community led festival, which is not only strong in community participation, but is also popular with visitors to the area.

This year Kintra, the Ulster-Scots Folk Orchestra, and Canterach provide a high quality line up of traditional music. The Artsekta Fusion Band and John Trotters Salsa Brothers give the festival a multicultural feel. The Jungle V.I.P's swing band , an Abba tribute, a High School Musical tribute and Addiction ensure a diverse upbeat musical treat from some of the best professional acts in N.Ireland.

In keeping with our community traditions there are also a number of talented young local bands playing through out the week and a Battle of the Bands Competition, which showcases some of our local up and coming talent.

The P.C.A. would like to thank Coleraine Borough Council for their continued support, including the funding and organisation of the Spectacular Fireworks Display which brings our festival to a close, as well as the additional funding secured from D.C.A.L's Community Festival Fund. The P.C.A would also like to acknowledge and thank The Ulster-Scots Agency for their funding to-wards this year's festival. We would also like to thank all those who contribute to our many fund raising activities and make it all possible.

Next year is the tenth anniversary of the Red S ails Festival, so if there are any bankers or politicians out there who would like to help make it extra special, we would love to hear from you.

Sean Graham

Project Manager, Red Sails Festival

Portstewart Community Association