Huge band parade underway in Portrush after Open timings moved to avoid clash
The annual parade, organised by the local Sons of Ulster Flute Band, coincides with the third day of the tournament.
Large crowds gathered in the seaside town to enjoy the parade as it moved off at 8.30pm.
It was led by Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster Flute Band.
The route takes in Metropole Green, Sandhill Drive, Eglinton Street, Kerr Street, Upper Main Street, Main Street, Causeway Street, Victoria Street and Dunluce Avenue.
According to the Parades Commission application, 83 bands are now expected to take part.
Bands from as far away as Co Down are marching, with organisers saying more bands have joined due to recent publicity.
That makes it bigger than any single Twelfth parade.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of sports fans are in the area for The Open at the nearby Royal Portrush Golf Club.
The organising band was offered around £20,000 by organisers to postpone their parade — which they refused.
Outside the Station Bar today, Jeff McCusker said the band was 'definitely right to not accept the money'.
'The parade is every year on this date and if the golf organisers wanted to they could have reached out long before they did to the band,' he said.
Earlier this week, Mark Darbon, chief executive of the Royal & Ancient (R&A), said there would be "marginal adjustments" of about 15 minutes to the golf tee-times to try to ensure both events can take place in a "seamless" way.
"We recognise that when we bring The Open Championship to town, we are a guest in the community in which we operate," he said.
"On many occasions, there are concurrent events that take place around the action that we are very focused on here, within the walls of the venue.
"So, recognising the events that are taking place on Saturday, we have worked really collaboratively with the organisers and across multi-agency groups to ensure, primarily, that both events can run as seamlessly as possible.
"We are making a slight tweak to tee times to try and finish - it's not dramatic, maybe 15 minutes or so earlier.'
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