The Royal Black Institution reduced the number of preceptories taking part in its annual Scarva parade on 14 July to about 20, down from more than 100 last year, Sovereign Grand Master Rev William Anderson said. The cut aimed to keep the procession manageable after it had grown too large.

Approximately 4,000 members and 76 marching bands took part in the event, which drew tens of thousands of spectators to the County Down village. Temperatures reached the high 20s under clear skies.

The parade departed at 10:45 and included a wreath-laying at the Portadown war memorial. Participants came from every county in Northern Ireland and from Scotland. The mock battle, a re-enactment of King William III's victory over James II at the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, started at 1:15. John Adair played William for the 31st year, and Colin Cairns portrayed James; Cairns has never won the staged clash.

A religious service followed at 2:15, and the return parade began at 3:15. In his address, Portadown District Chaplain Rev Timothy Eldon called for a return to Christian faith and condemned the recent conviction of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson for serious sexual offences, describing it as evidence of evil.

The Institution hosted a combined command centre in the village Orange Hall, housing ambulance, fire and police services, a drone search and rescue unit, and two senior officials.

Mezzo-soprano Emma Brown performed at the war memorial before the parade and later led hymns and the national anthem. She attended with her young son.

A parallel parade took place in Bangor, where Lurgan and Bangor district members reaffirmed their commitment to the Reformed Christian faith, Rev Anderson said.

Three Canadian visitors from Ontario, Noel and Paige Kelly and Benjamin Maharaj, attended for the third time. They said no comparable event exists in Canada.