Belfast gears up for monster-mashing Hallowe’en spooktacular
23rd October 2007:
Lord Mayor, Jim Rodgers and Billy Gilpin, Tranlink's Central Area Manager
It’s fast approaching the time of year when witches, ghosts and their familiars come out to play - and Hallowe’en in Belfast will be the most fangtastic and spooktacular yet.
That’s the promise from the city’s Lord Mayor, Jim Rodgers, who this morning announced details of the 2007 ‘Metro Monster Mash’, on Wednesday 31 October.
“This year’s event will offer a fantastic feast for the senses, with a crazy carnival, magical music and a truly magnificent fireworks display,” said the Lord Mayor.
The area around the city’s landmark Odyssey Arena once more will provide the setting for what promises to be the most spooktacular Hallowe’en extravaganza ever staged in Belfast.
The main entertainment programme begins in the Odyssey car park, at 7pm, with live music from the The City of Belfast Youth Concert Band. More than 60 street entertainers and all sorts of surprises will keep revellers on their toes and looking over their shoulders throughout the evening, which culminates with the biggest fireworks display ever seen in Northern Ireland.
“To ensure that all the little elves and pixies as well as witches, warlocks and their familiars can make their way to and from the spooktacle, our partners Translink Metro once again will be operating their free ‘ghost bus’ shuttle service,” the Lord Mayor announced.
Buses will leave Chichester Street for Queen’s Quay (dropping off in Station Street, under the flyover) every 15 minutes from 6pm – 8pm. Return shuttle buses will operate from Station Street to Chichester Street from 8.30pm – 9.30pm from Station Street to Chichester Street. There is also a free shuttle service from Queen’s Road car park to Odyssey.
Billy Gilpin, Translink’s Central Area Manager, said:
“We are delighted to be again sponsoring the council’s ‘Metro Monster Mash’ Hallowe’en celebrations. This family focused event has become one of our key annual events and we are delighted to support community, children and adults alike, in this ‘spooky’ way.
“Once more Metro is providing the popular complimentary shuttle services between the city centre and the Odyssey and we would encourage anyone attending the event to get on board and enjoy the ‘fangtastic’ atmosphere”.
The Odyssey Car Park will be closed for the duration of the event, and parking restrictions on the roads around the Odyssey car park will be strictly enforced.
For further information on Belfast City Council’s Hallowe’en celebrations, sponsored by Translink Metro, contact the Belfast Welcome Centre on 028 9024 6609, e mail events@belfastcity.gov.uk or log on to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events.
On Saturday 27 October, Belfast Zoo will be holding ‘Boo at the Zoo’ - a day for the whole family to enjoy, packed full of eerie stuff and fun things to do, including animal talks, a reptile display, face painting, creepy crafts, magic show and a fancy dress competition.
‘Boo at the Zoo’ always proves to be a great day out for all the family with nearly 2,000 visitors last year. Normal Zoo admission charges apply: however, anyone going to the ‘Pumpkin Festival on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 October will receive a voucher for free admission.
RELEASE ENDS
ISSUED BY CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, BELFAST CITY COUNCIL
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Formed in 1965, the City of Belfast Youth Concert Band is one of the senior musical groups within the Belfast Education and Library Board's Music Service. Members are aged from 14-21 years old and players come from all parts of Belfast.
Over the years the band has developed, with the help of all past and present members of staff, into a highly respected performing group, which contributes significantly to the cultural and musical life of the city, performing in sometimes as many as eight major concerts in various venues, from school halls and churches, the Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall to various venues across Europe whilst touring France, Germany and Italy - all being achieved by rehearsing on Saturday mornings during the term time of the academic year.
In July 2008, the band, under the directorship of Colin Irvine, will be undertaking its first concert tour to the United States of America - performing in Las Vegas and Los Angeles
For further information on the 2007 ‘Metro Monster Mash’, please refer media enquiries to:
Mark Ashby, Media Relations Officer, Belfast City Council
Tel: (028) 9027 0641
Copies of all Belfast City Council media releases can be downloaded from our website, www.belfastcity.gov.uk/news.
For media enquiries outside normal office hours, please call 079 1745 8070.
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