Annual Scarva Black parade 'still the largest one day event in Northern Ireland'
Organisers of today’s famous 13th July parade in Scarva have had to dramatically cut back the number of participants in the annual event because it was just getting "too big" to manage.
Around 100,000 people typically attend the annual 13th July parade by the Royal Black Institution - reportedly the largest one day event in Northern Ireland's annual calendar.
This year it was held on 14 July as the Twelfth fell on a Sunday.
The masses gathered once again, in scorching sunshine, to see the massive parade and the ‘Sham Fight’ re-enactment of the historical battle between King William III and King James II.
This year, 76 marching bands - comprising pipes, accordions, flutes, and silver - accompanied around 4,000 members of the Institution in the procession which finished as usual in the Scarva Demesne.
Rev William Anderson, the Sovereign Grand Master of ‘The Black’ explained why the event has had to be scaled back – however the entire parade still took the best part of two hours to pass.
“Today’s event has been wonderful,” he said. “To see those preceptories [akin to lodges] go past - and they are growing in numbers every year with many young men in them and there was the beautiful music from all of the bands here today. Where could you come better to enjoy all of that?"
He added: “However we have slightly fewer visitors because it was just getting too big. We could fill this parade for another hour if we wanted to.
“Last year we had more than 100 preceptories but this year we have cut back to about 20. We just couldn't fit it all in.
“It is the biggest one day event in Northern Ireland, which is now mentioned on official tourism website for Northern Ireland."
He understands it is the only parade in NI which has its own command centre, based the village Orange Hall. Located there for the day were the ambulance service, the fire service, PSNI, Sky Watch (a drone-based search and rescue service), and two senior operatives from ‘the Black’.
In his address from the platform, Portadown District Chaplain Rev Timothy Eldon urged people to turn back to the Christian faith in earnest - singling out the former DUP leader for criticism after his recent conviction for serious sexual offences.
“Society and our nation is changing - and changing not always for the best,” he said. “We find ourselves very often uncertain of the things going on around us, uncertain of the direction of our society.
“In recent months, we've seen blood-curdling violence and attacks on the streets of Belfast. And we’ve seen the Godless evil of Jeffrey Donaldson revealed.”
On a lighter note, internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Emma Brown was once again a special guest, having previously performed at Scarva in 2018 and 2019.
Originally from Nottingham, like William III over 300 years before her, she travelled from Holland to Scarva Demesne.
A specialist in singing for remembrance events, she has performed at many venues around Europe in relation to the two world wars.
Before the parade began, she performed at the annual remembrance event at the village war memorial, in memory of local members of the security forces murdered during the Troubles.
Later at the field, she led the singing of several hymns and the national anthem.
“When you sing remembrance, you’re part of something so much bigger, both in time and space,” she told the News Letter.
“It’s about the audience, about the dead, keeping peace, and keeping close to our roots.”
She added: “I love it here. It’s really friendly and warm. Even though I speak differently from everyone I just feel at home here. It’s amazing.”
There were several groups who had travelled from Canada to enjoy the event. Among them were Noel and Paige Kelly and Benjamin Maharaj from Ontario whose grandfather emigrated from NI. This was their third time at Scarva.
“We love it,” Noel said. “They are lovely festivities and everyone seems pretty happy.”
There is no equivalent in Canada, he said.
“I think it’s great. We love hearing the live music, the live bands,” Paige added.
Benjamin said there are parades in Canada - but not with musical bands.
“Our parades are not as culturally grounded, I’d say because Canada is a much newer country,” he added.