Council plan a fun day for Halloween celebrations

A fun day to promote the annual festival will take place in the town when it is hoped to engage local groups and businesses for the benefit of all.

A fireworks display had been considered and the chair of the Development committee, Alderman Bill Kennedy, said it could prove much too costly as well as the difficulty of finding a suitable venue.

Indeed, issues surrounding a licence, location, resources as well as health and safety requirements steered members towards an alternative event.

At the meeting, Councillor Roma McAfee suggested, as an alternative, events for children and young people such as fancy dress, party/disco, and storytelling in the town.

At the full council meeting, Alderman Kennedy admitted that the cost of a ten minute fireworks display would prove too costly and felt that a fun day involving children and businesses with support from local groups would be an ideal alternative.

Alderman Kennedy formally proposed the fun day approach and was supported by Councillor McAfee who told the council:

“At the Development committee I suggested a fun day and I think it should be progressed.

“We don’t do a great deal for Halloween and a fun day would be excellent for pre-school and primary school children.”

After the meeting, Alderman Kennedy said he recognised that other areas such as Moyle staged a fireworks display, but pointed out that they had much better open-air facilities than Ballymoney.

“Factors such as health and safety and vantage points for spectators have to be taken into consideration,” Alderman Kennedy said.