Eagle eyed shoppers in Belfast this afternoon may have spotted a real life mannequin in the window of Visit Belfast’s Welcome Centre – in the form of Belfast’s Lord Mayor.
Councillor Nuala McAllister dropped by to help dress the window ahead of the third annual NI Connections Friendship Four Ice Hockey Tournament over Thanksgiving weekend.
US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) teams from Clarkson University, RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), Providence College and The University of Maine will take to the ice at the SSE Arena on 24 and 25 November to compete for the coveted Belpot Trophy.
The Lord Mayor said: “We’re really excited to be welcoming these college teams from the US. The Friendship Four ice hockey tournament is so exhilarating and I couldn’t recommend it more highly for a day out with family or friends.
“We’re honoured to host such a prestigious tournament here in Belfast. Not only does it enhance our reputation for hosting major events as we bid with Derry to become European Capital of Culture in 2023, it’s strengthening business, tourism, academic and cultural links with our Sister City, Boston. And positioning Belfast as a truly global city is my prime objective during my year of office.
“I’d encourage as many people as possible to come down to the SSE arena to see the action unfold and soak up the electric atmosphere.”
Once again, hundreds of children from schools and community groups right across Belfast and beyond have been invited to watch the action unfold on Friday 24 November for free.
Members of the public are also welcome to attend the games. Tickets, including family passes, can be purchased from the SSE Arena box office or from the Friendship Four website.
For more information about the tournament, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/friendshipfour