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Best spooky celebrations ever

Halloween this year was in the words of one tiny vampire “the best so far”, with celebrations held in the centre of town thanks to “Our Coleraine”, powered by Coleraine Business Improvement district (CBID).

Hundreds of local people arose from their crypts early to be entertained from lunch time in the centre of town.

Stage shows, circus performers and spooky characters wandered the streets to the amusement of everyone, while Artisan traders surrounded the Town Hall which itself had been gripped by giant freaky fingers. Other buildings had also been overtaken with giant monsters around the town.

The days host and compere, Brian Moore led the entertainment with an outdoor fancy dress disco followed by the highly acclaimed band, ‘Anna’s Number’ just home from America who played to the crowd with guitar, drums and saxophone.

Hundreds of children joined the first daytime fancy dress parade through town which began at the top of Railway Road and Kingsgate Street led by the amazing dancers from More Performing Arts school to Thriller. Locally based rhythm team, Fun with Drums provided the creative music during the parade as they had been working up to the event with school children who were fantastic.

CBID Manager, Jamie Hamill said: “Our Coleraine is a new way of looking at our town, it is all about making Coleraine a better place for everyone. This was a fantastic event, people singing and dancing and having fun, that’s what a real town is all about. It was great to see the very high standard of fancy dress and it is clear that the people of Coleraine want these type of free fun events in their own town. Skeletons, minions, vampires, super heroes, we had it all! I promise that next year will be even better! It was lovely to hear comments from visitors who had dress up from Belfast, Lisburn, Bangor, Newtownabbey all shout out during the stage shows.

“CBID must take a moment to thank all the local businesses who through their BID contribution made this event happen. I would also like to thank our very talented More performing Arts School and to the team at Fun with Drums, both from Coleraine, all the entertainers, staging by Sandy Arthur and compere Brian Moore.

“Every child in fancy dress received a free party bag from CBID members, our toy shop Chocoloons and The Sweet Shack, two great independent businesses based in the Diamond Centre in Coleraine who provided the goodies.

“Also we would like to thank the brilliant team at Causeway Coast and Glens council who supported our event and helped to make it possible. There is more to come, CBID have some big news for the town for the Christmas period so keep watching.”

The days host and compere, Brian Moore led the entertainment with an outdoor fancy dress disco followed by the highly acclaimed band, ‘Anna’s Number’ just home from America who played to the crowd with guitar, drums and saxophone.