OCTOBER 2009

Carndonagh Autumn lantern parade

Inishowen Carnival Group had released details of plans to hold an Autumn Lantern Parade in Carndonagh on 25th October and are now looking for adults and young people to get involved in a Series of lantern making workshops as part of a project.

Spokesman for the group, Kevin O'Neill, explained that workshops have already been organised in a number of local schools but added lantern making workshops will also take place in the carnival offices in Carndonagh. For children aged 7 - 12 the workshop will take place on Monday 19th October, 4pm - 5.30pm using tissue paper, willow and glass painted jam jars to create lanterns for the event. Adult Workshops are also taking place on Tuesday evenings 7pm - 9pm exploring the use of willow and tissue paper and a variety of found materials to create lanterns and light installations using candles, led lights and simple lighting circuits. Children aged 12+ and their parents are also able to join this workshop. The group will also be holding a family lantern making workshop on Saturday 24th October for children and families who have not been able to attend any of the other workshops and who want to make a lantern and join the parade on the 25th October.

Kevin added "these workshops will aim to create more lanterns and light sculptures for the parade and for a lantern garden we are planning to create in Carndonagh Town Centre and in the area outside Carndonagh library and council offices"

"It has been a few years since we last held a parade in our home town and this project is a first step to try and revive our annual parade at this time of year. We are particularly hoping to encourage a new generation of young people in Carndonagh to help create outdoor events for the benefit of their local community." Kevin O'Neill said.

The group hope to have around 100 performers from local schools in the parade but would welcome interest from any local families or groups who might be interested in taking part and would encourage any children attending the parade to come along in fancy dress and bring a lantern of their own.

The parade is planned to arrive in the Diamond, Carndonagh at around 7pm on 25th October where there will be a short singing performance by local children. The lanterns and sculptures decorating the Diamond and the area outside the library and council offices will be lit from 6pm until 8pm. Anyone interested in getting involved in the parade or in creating lanterns for the lantern garden should contact Kevin at 9373375.

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