When William of Orange crossed the Boyne, July 1690, he could hardly have envisaged that 319 years later his victory over his father-in-law James would be celebrated in Belfast ? with the Bongo Bolero, the Invisible Man and the Von Trolley Quartet. (Don’t ask. I have no idea.)

Welcome to Orangefest 2009. The most impressive attempt to date to give the Twelfth what Gok Wan calls a make-over.

This Twelfth (confusingly for tourists it will be held on the 13th) will include not just the traditional bands, banners, bowlers, sashs and Lambeg drums but an array of the usual aguidos without whom no fiesta is deemed complete in 2009. Stilt walkers, jugglers, face painters ?

Other street acts including the aforementioned Invisible Man (how will people know where he is?) and something called the Gaiety Engine.

A promotional leaflet for |Orangefest (“Education through Celebration”) has been handed out in city centre shops and stores which will be open on the day for the first time.

This leaflet features on its cover a seemingly enthusiastic Orangefester who has chosen to celebrate her culture by going shopping. In one arm she carries several bags. Her other arm, raised aloft, is just out of the picture.

Perhaps she is also carrying the banner for the Rising Sons of Commerce LOL ?

The leaflet cover promos the attractions of the day out in the city. Processions, shopping, street entertainment, it says. It is noticeable, though, that the word ‘shopping’ is twice the size of the other words. A not-so-subtle reference there to a very |different battle being fought as the old one is commemorated.

For that decision to keep shops open isn’t just a reflection of Belfast entering a new era of peace processing.

There’s a recession on.

And traders would be daft to ignore the fact that the tens of thousands of visitors attracted into the city by the parades might well be tempted forego the joys of the speeches out at the Field in favour of a not-so-traditional route down the shop aisles.

Orangefest is about an acceptance of new realities on all sides. If it works everyone ends a winner. The Orange Order, the tourism industry, the crowds and |importantly the commercial centre of the city.

What used to be called the Twelfth demonstration, but which the leaflet refers to as the procession, is beyond doubt one of the most colourful and unusual spectacles in Europe (this year it will feature visitors from all over the world including Orangemen from Ghana and Togo.)

Capitalising on the event — as opposed to shutting up shop and ignoring the |potential profit to be made from it — makes sound economic sense.

It isn’t just, as the peace-processors put it, about marching to the sound of different drums.

It’s about keeping ahead of credit crunch.