AS the summer comes to a close – and we all wonder how we managed to miss it – plans are taking shape in Derry for a fantastic weekend of fun for all the family.
From the Carnival of Colours in St Columb’s Park, to Derry Walls Day in Guildhall Square and around the City Walls, there are hours of free activity to choose from as families plan their last few days before schools reopen.
Looking forward to the weekend Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Elisha McCallion, encouraged families to get out and about this weekend.
“Bringing the walls and our public spaces to life with animation creates a unique summer finale for all the family to explore the city; the eclectic range of events offers hours of creativity at Carnival of Colours and an open invitation to step into the rich history of the city through an engaging interactive programme at Derry Walls Day.”
Carnival of Colours is an annual city favourite and features a packed two-day programme of animation transforming St Columb’s Park into a magical playground for all ages. It offers a kid zone, a crafty barn, a carnival outdoor stage featuring international street performers, live music, circus, comedy, large scale sculptures, food stalls, a yard of dreams and special characters.
Derry Walls Day takes place on Sunday 30th August and offers an engaging programme of historical discovery including scheduled interpretative performances in Guildhall Square and the Guildhall, a Plotters Treasure Hunt and free entrance into seven participating museums in and around the City Walls.
The history day provides a historical insight into the discovery of the Great Northern Plot of 1615 which accelerated the building of the City Walls. Interpretative performances commence at 1pm and you can register for the Treasure Hunt at the information point in Guildhall Square from 12.30pm.
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency will also provide a stone masonry display in Guildhall Square, while the Tower Museum will host a unique collection of costumes from the era.
The Treasure Hunt is open from 12.30pm – 5.30pm with prizes for correctly completed entries including £100 of local shopping vouchers with four runner-up prizes of £50.
And there is also a special prize of £30 for the best “walls400-selfie” posted by 5pm incorporating @thederrywalls or #walls400 with one of the historical characters you meet along the way. You can also make your own costume or dress-up in the period costumes available at First Derry, St Columba’ Heritage Centre or the Guildhall.
Derry Walls Day is funded by Derry City and Strabane District Council and Friends of the Derry Walls, with support from the Heritage Council of Ireland as part of the National Heritage Week, when most of Ireland’s 21 Walled Towns will be putting on events to celebrate the heritage value of their surviving fortifications.
So if you are planning your last weekend of summer, let your imagination take you to Derry for a timeless experience of creativity and animation. Carnival of Colours programme is available at www.inyourspace.orgwith more information on Derry Walls Day at www. Thederrywalls.com/walls400.
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