HUGE crowds, many of them in costume, are expected to throng into Newcastle this Saturday (October 26) to enjoy the Creepy Carnival Parade and mega Fireworks Spooktacular which mark the start of the six day 2013 Hallowtides Festival.
From early afternoon until the early hours, the town will be bustling with look-alikes from The Addams Family as ‘Hallowtiders’ embrace this year’s official carnival theme or come up with their own creative costumes. Keeping them all up to speed with the spooky happenings planned for throughout the day and late into the evening will be Cool FM DJ Pete Snodden, with his roadshow at the Newcastle Centre on Central Promenade.
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SPOOKY SKULLDUGGERY ON THE SANDS AT NEWCASTLEIt’s written in the stars … Newcastle will come alive to the spirit of Hallowtides from October 26-31. Casting her spell to make sure the annual festival delivers a spine-chilling blend of family fun and fantasy is Victoria Cardy, lecturer in Art & Design at the South Eastern Regional College. .[/caption]
Music, games, on-stage giveaways, street entertainment and fancy dress will have the town buzzing even before 5.30pm when the first floats of the Carnival Parade leave the grounds of the Slieve Donard Hotel to head down Main Street towards the festival stage. Wise witches and warlocks will arrive in good time to secure a viewing point and will take advantage of public transport or parking which is available at Railway Street, Downs Road, Causeway Road, Donard Park, Upper Donard Park, Bryansford Road, Bryansford Avenue and on the Shimna Road.
The Newcastle Centre and Glen River car parks will be reserved for disabled parking. There will be traffic interruptions from 5.30pm and drivers are reminded to plan their journeys accordingly.
Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Maria McCarthy said: “Major events such as Hallowtides attract tens of thousands of people into the heart of Newcastle and, I am happy to say, Newcastle really takes those visitors to its heart. The town copes admirably with the good-humoured influx and, in our experience, changes to traffic and parking arrangements work so smoothly that everyone has a great experience.
“We are looking forward to huge crowds this Saturday, both for the Carnival Float Parade and, later, for our amazing Fireworks Display with the first rocket due to lift off at 7.30pm. This year we will be hosting one of Northern Ireland’s biggest, brightest and best seasonal fireworks displays so this really is a show not to be missed.  The spectacle of fabulously varied and colourful fireworks exploding in the night sky over the sea will be nothing short of stunning and will delight onlookers of any age.
“As we look forward to the start of what promises to be another great festival in Newcastle, may I take this opportunity to thank those whose hard work, creativity and commitment underpin the success of Hallowtides? Down District Council is proud to play a lead role in the delivery of this major seasonal programme but we are very conscious of the scale and importance of the contributions from highly motivated individuals and organizations across the region.
Their creativity and enthusiasm have combined to create an ambitious programme of events with superb content, bringing Newcastle to life in unique and spooktacular style this Halloween. No other resort or region can deliver so much!
“Hallowtiders should be aware that, if there should be harsh weather, some of the planned events may have to be relocated to the shelter of the Newcastle Centre at Central Promenade.
The full Hallowtides programme is available now from any Down District Council outlet, including the Newcastle Visitor Information Centre, or visit www.downdc.gov.uk .
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