Culmore children get set for Hallowe’en
Members of the Culmore Community Association making lanterns as part of the preparations for the Halloween Carnival Parade. Included, are Conor O'Neill, Brian O'Neill, Aiden Burns, Michelle Burns, Michael McLaughlin, Ben Murphy and Angela McLaughlin. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)
THE children at Culmore are gambling on red or black coming up trumps this Hallowe’en, as they prepare for their debut in this year’s carnival parade as part of the city’s Banks of the Foyle Hallowe’en Carnival celebrations.
They’ve been working on some creepy creations at their base in Hollybush School to showcase at this year’s frightening festival finale event, which will see over 600 people take to the streets to celebrate all things scary.
Spokesperson for the Culmore Community Group, Brian O’Neill, said that the workshops have been a great success - with parents enjoying them just as much as the children.
“We’ve decided on a Red and Black theme for the carnival, which left us a lot of scope for creating our costumes,” he explained. “The kids decided they would dress up as prisoners - who are, in keeping with the Hallowe’en theme, of course dead. And they are being herded along by the adults who are the prison guards. Our costumes and lanterns are all finished and the workshop was awash with glue, so the kids had a great time getting messy.”
The children have been getting a helping hand from the North West Carnival Initiative, which support local community groups in their artistic endeavours ahead of the big event as Brian explained.
“Martin and Jennifer from the Carnival Initiative have been brilliant at getting everyone involved and they deserve loads of credit for all the work they have put in,” he said. “This is the first year we have taken part in the Halloween carnival, although we have been in the St Patrick’s carnival before which was great fun.
“Everyone is really excited and there’s a great buzz at the workshops and a real sense of anticipation is building now. We have 30-40 children taking part and almost as many adults, so it’ll be a big group, but we are all looking forward to having a great night and being a part of the city’s biggest event.
“It’s a brilliant way for people in the Culmore area to get involved in the community and get out and meet new people. And we’ve found that lots of people who wouldn’t normally be involved in community events are joining in because of the children. The schools in the area have been great at promoting the event, and really encouraging the local community to get behind it.
“The only concern the children have is getting out to trick or treat before the big event, they don’t want to miss out on filling their Halloween bags - so be warned people may have some early visitors this year.”
The Carnival Parade is just one of the many family friendly events organised by the North West Carnival Initiative as part of Derry City Council’s five day programme of Hallowe’en fun, and will take place at the Quay on Wednesday October 31 at 7pm, before a terror-ific fireworks display on the Foyle at 8pm.
For more information on music, events, and fangtastic accommodation deals go to www.derrycity.gov.uk/halloween or follow the festival fun on Facebook at www.facebook.com/banksofthefoylehalloweencarnival.
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Weather for Londonderry
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
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