One of Northern Ireland’s best-known heritage events returns as Ballymena Steam Rally steams into town

One of Northern Ireland’s best-known celebrations of heritage, machinery and country life returns to Ballymena this week as the Ballymena Steam Rally gets under way with three days of steam engines, vintage vehicles, road runs and family attractions.

The Ballymena Steam Rally runs from Thursday 23 July to Saturday 25 July at Ballymena Livestock Market, bringing together historic machinery, classic vehicles, traditional crafts and family entertainment before culminating in Saturday’s main rally.

With under-16s admitted free and adult admission £10, the event offers visitors the chance to experience engineering and agricultural heritage not as museum pieces, but through working demonstrations and hands-on displays that bring history to life.

Saturday promises the biggest spectacle

The heart of the weekend is Saturday’s main rally, when the livestock market will be transformed into a bustling celebration of heritage, machinery and country life.

Working demonstrations throughout the day will give visitors the chance to see traditional machinery and skills in action, offering a glimpse into the engineering, craftsmanship and ingenuity that once powered farms, workshops and businesses across Northern Ireland.

Steam engines will take centre stage alongside vintage tractors, classic commercial vehicles and historic cars, while demonstrations will include threshing, saw milling, stone crushing, shingle cutting, blacksmithing and green wood turning.

Across the showground, visitors can browse trade and craft stalls, enjoy the distinctive sound of a traditional fairground organ, watch title-defending competitors battle it out in the tractor pulling arena, cheer on daring lawnmower racers and enjoy performances as part of the Ulster Scots Music Festival.

Families will find plenty to keep younger visitors entertained too, with free bouncy castles, a pet farm, and demonstrations showing traditional butter making alongside soda bread and potato bread (fadge).

The Northern Ireland Land Rover Club will also return with its popular off-road trek, adding another attraction to a programme designed to appeal to visitors of all ages.

The main rally runs from 10am until 5pm on Saturday.

Celebrating engineering milestones

This year’s event also shines a spotlight on several significant anniversaries celebrating iconic vehicles and machinery.

Special displays will mark:

• 50 years of the Ford Fiesta, together with the final Ford Imps produced 50 years ago

• 80 years of the Ferguson TE20

• 70 years of the Ferguson Gold Belly

• 100 years of the Lister Engine

For enthusiasts, these anniversary exhibits are expected to be among the highlights of the weekend, offering a chance to reflect on machines that transformed farming, transport and everyday life.

The weekend begins on Thursday

Before Saturday’s showcase, the rally opens on Thursday evening with a programme of free talks in the marquee.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

The programme includes:

• 7.30pm — Harry Ferguson, presented by Conor Martin

• 8.00pm — Racing Manxman Excelsior – Mid Antrim, presented by Bryan and John McKibbin

• 8.30pm — Ulster Scots Tales, presented by Matthew Warwick and Charlie Gillan

Entertainment will be provided by David Reid of Broughshane Pipe Band, with refreshments available throughout the evening.

Friday’s road runs return

Friday evening brings one of the rally’s longest-standing traditions as steam engines and other participating vehicles leave the showground for a tour through the local area.

Vehicles line up from 5.30pm, departing at 6.30pm.

Steam engines will travel along Raceview Road to Second Broughshane Presbyterian Church, while the remaining vehicles follow Woodside Road, Lisnahilt Road and Rathkeel Road, before returning through Broughshane village.

Entertainment by Broughshane Pipe Band begins at 7.30pm, with vehicles expected back from 8.30pm for food and evening entertainment.

For many local residents, watching the convoy of steam engines and vintage vehicles make its way through the surrounding countryside has become one of the defining moments of the rally weekend.

A highlight of Ballymena’s summer

From the first free talks on Thursday evening to Saturday’s showcase of steam engines, heritage machinery, classic vehicles and family attractions, the Ballymena Steam Rally once again offers one of the highlights of the local summer calendar.

Bringing together engineering, craftsmanship and country life in the heart of Ballymena, the three-day event offers visitors the chance to experience Northern Ireland’s rich rural heritage through working demonstrations, historic vehicles and traditions that continue to captivate new generations.