There’s more to Tynwald Day than the traditional political open-air proceedings.

Today (Thursday) is the Manx National Day and there will be a series of events that focus on showcasing Manx heritage expressed through music, song and dance.

The TynwaldFest tent will again be hosting a number of events throughout the day.

It will be on the little Fairfield next to Cooil y Ree.

The tent and stage area will be open to all for a mix of activities, music and in the evening refreshments from a range of local suppliers.

The first events in the programme start at 9am around the Tynwald Hill in St John’s. The Manx Folk Dance Society will be dancing on the Front Green before the official ceremony. In the Arboretum is the popular One World Village featuring international cuisine and entertainment; and the Viking Village will be camped in Cooil y Ree.

There will be family entertainment on the Front Green after the ceremony, including Onchan Silver Band, Perree Bane and Friends, the Grand Manx Dance and the Fairly Famous Family circus act.

At the TynwaldFest tent events will start at 10am when Sue Quilliam will be running family arts and crafts sessions.

In the afternoon there will be performances by dancers from Gena’s Dance Academy and more from the Fairly Famous Family circus act.

From 5pm the TynwaldFest tent will continue to be the main focus of events with the ever popular Retrospect playing followed by the Mollag band.

The traditional ceili will be held from 8pm, with the ad Super Manx Ceili Band getting people up and dancing.

There will also be face painting with glitter from Get Glitfaced.

The Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, which is based in St John’s, always hosts family events on Tynwald Day. This year, iMuseum and the World Manx Association will be showcasing their work at the Bunscoill and the family activity will be a family mosaic workshop using sea glass collected from beaches to create a mosaic in the image of the Isle of Man.

Activities in the Bunscoill run from 9am through to 5pm.

’Year of Our Island’ activities including a film bus, in the Bunscoill car park and the brand new garden show at the old Farmers’ Arms site on Station Road.

Culture Vannin has created Tynwald Hill from Lego. It is are next to the Bunscoill and will be open 9.30am to 4.30pm and welcomes visitors all year round - including Tynwald Day.

All day on the Fairfield there will be stallholders selling local food and drink, arts and crafts, as well as stalls promoting charities.

In line with Isle of Man Government’s aim to reduce single use plastics, stallholders will be required to supply and use eco-friendly containers/cups/glasses etc as an alternative to single-use plastics, where appropriate.

Food and drink is available at other locations across St John’s including the Bunscoill, the Methodist Hall, the Tynwald Hill Inn, Greens Café and in the Global Village.

The Manx Tent, previously known as the Homecomers’ Tent, will be positioned on the Fairfield again this year next to the Tynwald Millennium Stone.

The Manx Tent will showcase Manx groups and societies including Basket Weaving, Isle of Man Family History Society, Manx Dialect Group, Mannin Quilters, Peel Secret Gardens, Peel Heritage Foundation, Rock Project, Yn Chruinnaght and the Women’s Institute.

Heritage in the form of music can be heard in the chapel, after the Tynwald ceremony has taken place.

From 1.30pm the chapel will host a number of musical acts and will be the venue to hear Jamie Smith and Paul Rogers, Ruth Keggin and Friends, the IOM Wind Band, Castletown Metropolitan Band and the Regal Singers.

Tynwald Day 2018 celebrations will be drawn to a close with a performance on Tynwald Hill from the Ellan Vannin Pipe Band and a display by local fire troupe Spinning Vannin starting at 10pm.

President of Tynwald Steve Rodan MLC,said: ’There is something for everyone at St John’s on the Isle of Man’s National Day - colourful ceremonial and the old traditions, music, dancing, entertainment, competitions and fun. Be sure to bring the family, and stay for Tynwald Fest in the evening.’