Belfast gears up for Hallowe’en spooktaculars

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, Pat McCarthy, who this morning announced details of the 2006 Celebrate Belfast ‘Metro Monster Mash’, on Tuesday October 31.

“This year’s event will offer a freakishly fangtastic feast for the senses, with a crazy carnival, magical music, and a truly phantasmagoric fireworks and light show,” 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 hair-raising Hallowe’en spooktacular ever staged in Belfast,” he added.

The main entertainment programme begins in the Odyssey car park, at 7pm, with live music from the The Delawares, Afrobrazilia and the Cinemagic 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 Belfast, at around 8pm.

“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 – 10pm from Station Street to Chichester Street. There is also a free shuttle service from Queen’s Road car park to Odyssey.

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 October 28, Belfast Zoo will be holding a spooky Hallowe’en event called ‘Boo at the Zoo’ - a day for the whole family to enjoy, packed full of eerie stuff and fun things to do. Normal Zoo admission charges apply.

(SP)