The protest by Portadown Orangemen over the Parades Commission ruling against the annual Drumcree parade enters its 900th day in the coming week.
Normally, such significant dates in the Drumcree protest are marked by the Orangemen with a parade and rally.
However, on this occasion, the Portadown Orangemen have decided to break with "tradition" and will mark the 900th day of protest with an open-air Christmas carol service on Drumcree hill tonight.
Yesterday, Portadown district press officer Mr David Jones said the decision not to mark the day with the normal political-style parade and rally was a deliberate one.
"A political parade and rally to Drumcree church a few days before Christmas was considered inappropriate," said Mr Jones.
"We considered a carol service more in keeping with the festive season."
However, Mr Jones confirmed the Orangemen's protest would continue and increase in profile early in the new year despite recent talks with Drumcree mediator, south African lawyer Mr Brian Currin.
"We have met Mr Currin for talks on Drumcree," said Mr Jones.
"We have done all we can to break the Drumcree deadlock, but the Garvaghy Road residents are still proving to be the stumbling block to finding a resolution to the current impasse.
"Unfortunately, there is no movement whatsoever on the Drumcree issue."
Mr Jones went on to say the Orangemen had decided to participate in a proposed localised civic forum in Portadown which would discuss the town's social and economic problems.
It would be made up of representatives of the business community, church leaders, Garvaghy Road residents and the Orange Order.
Drumcree mediator Mr Currin is due to return to the North early next year for further talks.