The innovative team behind Claregalway 2020 is hosting an event at Halloween that looks at the legends of the season in the many cultures that now live in the city and county.
Organisers are inviting people to join them on a trail through the world looking at the legends, traditions, and delicacies in different countries around the time of Samhain or Halloween.
The event will be held on Sat October 27 from 5pm to 7pm in the Claregalway Community centre.
A spokeswoman said that the event focuses on celebrating the varied nationalities who have made their home in the community in Claregalway.
“We will be focusing on countries of the community living in Claregalway and the surround. We want to find out more about their homelands and share some of their traditions, similarities and differences.
“The event, to be held in the Community Centre grounds is a trail through five tented areas and each of which will focus on a group of countries under the loose banners of Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and The Americas. Each area will include visual spectacles, music, interactive games or dance, and treats specific to the countries represented.
“People of all ages will enjoy a sensory trip through the local diverse cultures, culminating in a short parade/fiesta at 7pm to the community hall where we can celebrate how we are all Claregalway. Local artists will be working with youth groups and schools to make decorations and props for the visual spectacle in each area.
“Other activities on the day will include cupcake decoration and facepainting. Prizes will be awarded on the night for best costume for adults and children; and the best carved pumpkin. Carve it at home and bring it along and we’ll light it up. Bring along your carved pumpkin, the weirder the better.
This event is a Galway 2020 Small Towns Big Ideas initiative, organised by the community of Claregalway. The hope is to involve all members of the community, young and old in the lead up to the event, as well as on the day.
“There are weekly planning meetings in ‘the HUB’ (Cois Chlair ) on a Wednesday at 8pm. Anyone is welcome. We have approached different groups already formed in the community to do something small and we have had promises of help with costumes, props, cooking and on the day of the event.
“But we still need more people to get involved in whatever way they can, however small. Please get involved. We need your help in the following areas - Have you a tasty treat from your local country which would fit in any of our tents? We want people to cook some traditional bakes from your home countries for people to taste on the day of the event, like a version of a community picnic,” she said.
If you feel you can contributee in any way to this multicultural event, contact [email protected] facebook.com/claregalway2020
