Press Release

Countdown to Carnival

Monday, 29 October 2007

With the Hallowe’en festival activity now in full swing, there’s still plenty of events for all the family to enjoy before the spooktacular celebrations on the 31st October.

Spooky Stories at the Museums continue in the Workhouse and Tower Museums on the 29th & 30th at 11am, 12noon, 2pm and 3pm, featuring some spooky tales for all the family.

Locals and visitors to the city are also set to be delighted and astounded by some weird and wonderful street entertainment in the city centre. These include a 50foot inflatable Whale in Guildhall Square, Flying Fox Bats, Ghostly Galleons, lavishly dressed 18th century women and a ten foot She-Devil to name but a few!!!

The hugely popular Ghoulish Games and Freaky Fun at the Park will take place at St Columb’s Park House with events including pumpkin carving (bring your own pumpkin), Dr Jekyll’s Lab, create your own goody bag, craft workshops together with a range of outdoor activity. Admission is £1.00 per person, telephone (028) 7132 9144 to book.

The Playhouse Theatre at St Columb’s Hall will also host a two-day Monster Mash Fun Days programme on the Monday and Tuesday, featuring magician shows, storytelling together with mask and costume making to finalise your preparations for the big day.

Carnival capers

The 31st October sees the city centre being transformed into carnival central with a host of events, all held within a designated alcohol free zone. Guildhall Square and Spencer Road will provide the location for some pre-carnival parade music and street entertainment.

The colourful carnival parade will wind itself through the city centre, making its way to the banks of the River Foyle for the annual outstanding Fireworks display. However the fun continues into the night with many of the hotels and venues around the city host a variety of Hallowe’en parties.

Carnival Care

Derry City Council and its partners through its Carnival Care campaign, would ask that parents keep a watchful eye on children and young people and to make them aware of the dangers of excessive drinking and firework safety.

A safe and sensible Hallowe’en is a priority for agencies across the city in supporting the successful delivery of the city’s largest outdoor Carnival. The Mayor Alderman Drew Thompson is urging all carnival goers to act responsibly to ensure everyone can enjoy the event.

“Each year organisers add something extra to the Hallowe’en Carnival to promote greater family involvement. This has improved each year and has become a positive feature of the event. The outdoor carnival is primarily a family friendly occasion and we would encourage a responsible attitude to help make it a positive experience for everyone involved. The Carnival Care information helps everyone, particularly parents, to plan for a great day out and to ensure children, teenagers and young adults enjoy the Banks of the Foyle Hallowe’en Carnival safely and sensibly”.

For further information on the Carnival Care campaign. www.derrycity.gov.uk/care

Time check for parents

• Start time at Guildhall - 5pm
• Finish time at Guildhall - 8pm
• Assembly Carnival Parade - 6.15pm
• Carnival Parade start time - The Diamond 7pm
• Carnival Parade finish time - 7.50pm
• Fireworks Display start time - 8.00pm
• Fireworks Display finish time - 8.30pm

The Banks of the Foyle Hallowe’en Carnival is organised and funded by Derry City Council with additional support from the Business and Cultural Animation programme which has been partly financed by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board through funding provided by the International Fund for Ireland and Ilex through the Integrated Development Fund.

Full details of this year’s festival are now available - click on www.derrycity.gov.uk/halloween or telephone (028) 7137 6545 to request a programme.

Ends

For additional information contact:

Press Office

return to previous page