THE Guildhall Craft Fair that took place over the weekend has been hailed a success with visitors from the city and across the region coming to support local businesses, share the city’s Christmas experience and purchase from a unique range of festive gifts.The event, which is now recognised as one of the city’s biggest festive events with over 40 high-end craft producers and exhibitors from all over Ireland showcasing a large range of contemporary and traditional crafts for sale, attracted over 4,000 visitors into the city centre and officially started the city’s Christmas festive time.
Helena Hasson, Event Co-ordinator with Derry City and Strabane District Council said the event was busy all weekend with locals and visitors alike availing of the opportunity to purchase that special gift and availing of the chance to browse and be part of the city’s festive experience.
“We are delighted that this year’s Guildhall Craft Fair has once again been a tremendous success for everyone involved and that is reflected in the large numbers of people who visited the Guildhall over the weekend.
“We were particularly pleased with the addition of the artisan food stalls and the feedback from our customers and the traders was very positive.
“The Craft Fair is a fantastic way for the Council to showcase local and visiting talent and to promote creativity and entrepreneurship and is the perfect way to start our Christmas campaign,” she said.
The Guildhall Craft Fair is one of a number of events taking place in the City and District over the festive period including the Christmas Switch On in Derry on 23 November and in Strabane on 25 November, a Winterland market, an enchanting Wonder Windows Trail and the Sound of Light Christmas procession, that will bring music, colour and animation to the city streets.
Aeidin McCarter, Head of Culture with Derry City and Strabane District Council says the Council’s Christmas campaign in Derry and Strabane is all about the magical festive experience that can be offered to locals and visitors.
She said: “Whether you are here for a weekend break or a one day shopping trip, we have something to offer you in terms of our retail offering and our fantastic events calendar.
“We are working very closely with our partners in Visit Derry to promote some fantastic accommodation offers from £40 pps that encourages couples and families to come to Derry and Strabane for a fantastic festive experience.
“Not only can they be part of our many events that have been scheduled in the weeks running up to Christmas but they can avail of the really good retail offering from both our small independent traders to our larger multi-national stores while at the same time soak up the warm Derry welcome and festive atmosphere in our restaurants, cafes and bars.”
For more detailed information and updates on Derry City and Strabane District Council’s family-friendly Christmas programme please visit www.derrystrabane.com/christmas
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