Traffic, access & inclusion updates for Strabane Halloween celebrations
21 October 2022
Strabane is on the final count down to the highly anticipated Halloween celebrations this weekend.
Derry City and Strabane District Council is reminding the public who are intending to travel into the town this weekend for the Hallowe’en festival and fireworks display to be aware of possible traffic delays and to plan their journey ahead.
From 12noon on Monday 31st October, Strabane Town Centre will transform into a Ghostly Gathering with lots of activities for the entire family to enjoy including street performances, live music and a jaw-dropping act from the famous SPARK LED drummers leaving The Alley Theatre at 1pm.
Family-favourite SAURUS will be back in town on the Saturday with its deafening roar, leaving The Alley Theatre at 2pm. Winifred & The Witches will be around from 1pm along with the Wall of Terror Creepy Animals and Fizz Wizz Magic Show. Zelda will take the boys and girls on Trick or Treat trails throughout the day through the town collecting festive treats before finishing with ghost stories, folk tales, myths and legends in Strabane Library.
As the moon rises and the dark night appears, a fire juggling show will kick off from 6pm before the Halloween Fireworks Finale lights up the sky from Melvin Running Track at 7pm.
There will be a number of traffic restrictions in Strabane Town Centre in place on Halloween Day. Castle Street will be closed for the Halloween event from 7am until 6pm. The pedestrian foot bridge and paths around Melvin Running Track will be closed to the public from 6:45pm to 7:45pm to allow for the firework display. There will also be restricted access for residents only on Melvin Road and Ballycolman Estate from 6:30pm until 7:30pm.
The public are advised to use the number of town centre carparks and reminded that normal on street parking restrictions will be in place. Drivers are advised not to obstruct any residential properties or businesses which may restrict access for emergency services. Accessible Parking will be available at the bottom of Ballycolnman Estate in front of the running track and in the Upper Main Street Car Park in the Townsend of Strabane.
There will be provisions for access and inclusion throughout the Halloween Festival in Strabane this year. On Halloween Day, a Quiet Space will be available in The Alley Arts & Conference Centre and Strabane Library between 12pm and 4:30pm. While booking is not necessary, you can pre-book a space here by contacting Liz Cunningham via email at Elizabeth.cunningham@derrystrabane.com or by telephone on 028 71253 253 ext. 6956. Accessible Toilets will also be available in The Alley between 10am and 5pm throughout the day.
For Accessible Access to the fireworks, it is encouraged that event goers enter via Ballycolman Estate entrance. Staff will be on site to assist with this. An Accessible Viewing Area will be allocated in the Main Viewing Zone in Melvin Athletics Track. A Point of Contact for queries on Access and Inclusion will be available throughout the celebrations. You can contact Caitriona Doherty on 07739092409.
Residents with domestic pets who find their animals may be sensitive to fireworks may wish to take measures to reduce the impact upon their animal for the display between 7pm and 7:20pm.
Events Officer with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Ashleigh Devine, said Strabane Halloween will be a great weekend of celebrations for all the family and reminded every to stay safe.
“We’re all really excited for this year’s event and are delighted to see a great sense of hype around the town ahead of this weekend’s activities. There will be plenty to see and do all weekend in the town centre and around the district before the big fireworks finale on Monday night.
“There will be some traffic disruptions and we would encourage everyone to keep this in mind when travelling to any Halloween events, but we will do our best to keep these to a minimum. We hope everyone in our community has a happy and, most importantly, a very safe Halloween.”