Miss Northern Ireland, Tiffany Brien, is encouraging the public to follow their nose and enjoy the sights and scents at the Annual Rose Week in South Belfast later this month. Entrance to Rose Week and the International Rose Trials at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park is free and will be held from Monday 16 July – Sunday 22 July. The event offers something for all the family and attracts thousands of visitors each year.

The Chairman of Parks and Leisure, Councillor Gerard McCabe and the Deputy Chairman, Councillor Bernie Kelly, joined Miss NI at the launch.

Councillor McCabe has praised the event that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.

“Parents are always looking for events that can be enjoyed by a range of ages within the family and Rose Week is suited to everyone, the sprightly and the less sprightly.

“People can enjoy the views, potter about the stalls or be more active by joining in dance, games or other activities. We will have visitors from across the world including the international judges on Thursday, 19 July with the Rose Awards being announced at a dinner in City Hall that evening,” he said.

Besides the fragrant beauties, some of the week’s attractions include music, street entertainers, face painting and a parks photo exhibition. Craft stalls and a summer rose and flower stall will also take place at the weekend.

Organiser Alice Blennerhassett praised the beautiful location for Rose Week.  “Every day is different but fun. Music, which includes, band, swing and jazz, adds to the atmosphere in the park. It is a relaxing occasion in one of our premier parks and I hope that everyone will come and join in.”

Translink will be running Rose Week shuttle buses from the city centre to facilitate the number of people travelling to the park during the event.