July 12th is a big day here in Northern Ireland. For the past month everyone has been busy marching through the villages, putting up banners, flags and bunting. It's a celebration for the Protestants and unfortunately there has also been a lot of unrest and violence. We have seen a few scary things like cars burnt in the middle of the street, but we are safe and hope that things will calm down soon. 
This little marching band marched down our street a couple of weeks ago, practicing for the big march. It was fun to see them and they were actually very good!
Most towns and villages put up these as you enter the town. They are pretty impressive and light up at night. This is the one in Portadown.
The arch for Lurgan. The big county march was held in Lurgan this year. 
Mourneview street in Portadown. 
Another arch in Portadown. You can definately tell which area you are in by the flags that are flown. Union Flag or Irish Flag.......
Another tradition are the big bonfires Several weeks ago we notices empty lots that were being filled with wood pallets, old funiture, and rubbish of all sorts.....
The piles kept getting bigger and bigger.......
Then last week, these towers were errected. This one just down the street from us. We saw and smelled the smoke but didn't go see it.
This huge one was in Portadown. This is the day they burned it. It was raining as you can see from our windshield..... we drove by about an hour before they lit it and the police were getting ready and people were starting to gather. As missionaries, we were advised not to attend......lots of bottles and excited people......
The next day we drove by and sure enough, all that was left was the smoldering smoke. It was interesting that they burned the fires both Friday and Saturday night, not Sunday, because of the Sabbath........ As far as we know, only a house in Belfast burned because the bonfire there was too close......
The piles kept getting bigger and bigger.......
Then last week, these towers were errected. This one just down the street from us. We saw and smelled the smoke but didn't go see it. 
This huge one was in Portadown. This is the day they burned it. It was raining as you can see from our windshield..... we drove by about an hour before they lit it and the police were getting ready and people were starting to gather. As missionaries, we were advised not to attend......lots of bottles and excited people......
The next day we drove by and sure enough, all that was left was the smoldering smoke. It was interesting that they burned the fires both Friday and Saturday night, not Sunday, because of the Sabbath........ As far as we know, only a house in Belfast burned because the bonfire there was too close......Monday, the 12 was the big march of the orange order. We were going to go to the parade since it was actually going through our neighborhood...but instead decided to go with a couple in the ward on an outing. I think we made a good decision!
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