Band Parades is all about promoting and encouraging the positive elements of all marching bands within our culture and tradition be it Flute, Accordion, Pipe and Silver Bands from across the globe. It is also about Promoting, Understanding and Encouraging a greater connection between bands, their supporters and the areas they come from. Additionally to promote understanding that each individual band member are in their own right, extremely talented musicians.

Our aim is to also highlight that the parades that either you have watched or heard about on the news are not sectarian nor are hate filled, as like portrayed in the media and by the nationalists but instead are peaceful, dignified and are well organised. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes organising each individual parade, not only does each parade have a commemorative meaning from remembering the fallen at the Somme Parade to the Battle of the Boyne Celebrations and from the Relief of Derry Commemorations to the annual band parades and competitions, but for a parade to be passed it must meet all legal requirements.

The biggest majority of fraternal parades are organised along traditional routes which successive generations of bandsmen, orangemen, ABoD and the RBP have taken part in. Each flag and banner has their own cultural, religious, historical and biblical meaning to the way they look, as for the participants they parade with honour and pride in a peaceful dignified manner which is complied with the legal requirement for parading, I might add there is no wearing of paramilitary style uniforms unlike the republican parades.

Furthermore not only are our parades re-routed or banned they are also told not to play music in certain areas.

I would also like to inform people that The Orange Order, Apprentice Boys of Derry, The Royal Black Institution and Bands, also donate money to legal charities throughout the United Kingdom and further abroad.

This website is not only about promoting the established bands that have been going for some time but to also promote up and coming bands and to encourage the positive element within our protestant, unionist and loyalist culture and tradition.

Band Parades advertises bands, their events and parades. As a hobby we computerize badges, flags, design and set up websites for all bands and loyal institutions. We also do our upmost when required to help out lodges and bands who are in need of a band/lodge for an event. We have helped out on many occasions to fulfill these requirements in the past year.

Through the Band Parades website we are hoping to help give individuals the chance to watch the parades and highlight that the parades are entertaining and enjoyable to watch and very family orientated. It is a passion of ours to attend the parades so not only are we busy recording we ourselves are enjoying listening and watching each parade. Even though we don’t have a car we still try to get to as many parades as we possibly can and also on occasions with the help from our friends who we are very grateful to.

Band Parades – Promoting the Band Scene are honoured to be officially sponsored by West Ulster Bands Forum and Red Hand Defenders Newtownstewart Flute Band.

This site has no ties to any specific band or grouping.