North East Festival Carnival Days start this weekend

It’s official! The festival and carnival season is here, so it must be summer!

Article Source: Platform Glasgow
Last Updated: 19 July 2016 12:34

Come rain or shine, residents of North East Glasgow are sure to be out in their droves this July as the Carnival parades return to Alexandra Park, Springburn Park and at The Bridge, Easterhouse.

Organised by the North East Area Legacy & Engagement Group a collective of organisations including council agencies, housing associations, community and voluntary groups, working together to create a summer festivals and carnival processions across the North East of Glasgow. The aim of hosting the summer festivals is to engage and inspire communities to get involved and find out what’s going on in their area.

Working with local arts organisations, Platform & New Rhythms for Glasgow have commissioned artists to work with hundreds of children, young people and community groups to create costumes, props and lively performances for the carnival processions. Accompanied by professional bands the processions will be leaving at 12 noon from City Park for Alexandra Park, Barmulloch Community Centre for Springburn Park and FARE’s Bannatyne House for The Bridge.

Once the processions arrive in the parks there will be a wide variety of family friendly activities on offer including live music stages, inflatables, crafts, children’s rides, sports zone, markets and local groups with stalls promoting what goes on in their community.

Louise Nolan from New Rhythms for Glasgow is coordinating local groups in Springburn and Barmulloch to take part in the festival in the Park. Louise commented: “Local children have been having great fun making costumes and learning to drum as part of the summer programme at KATS. Creating the props and costumes for the carnival has been so much fun. I think the parents and children have done themselves proud and I’m sure they will find taking part in the processions both rewarding and fun.”

Glasgow Housing Association’s North East Area Director Andy Ashcroft also comments, “‘Glasgow Housing Association have supported the summer festivals for several years and see the events as a great opportunity for people from all over the North East of Glasgow to come together for some family fun and enjoyment.”

Councillor Maureen Burke from the North East Area Partnership and a Board member of Platform stated: “It’s vital we support local events in communities across the North East. All six area partnership wards have provided funding to support the summer festivals I absolutely love seeing the community enjoying the festivals either as a performer or participant. Every year, more and more people turn out to see their neighbourhood taken over by colour, music and fun and I’m really looking forward to being there myself!”

Platform’s Arts Manager Jenny Crowe adds: “I joined Platform in April this year and the summer festivals are something I have been really looking forward to. The Festival at The Bridge is an extra special one for Platform as it is part of our 10th birthday party celebrations. At the end of the procession we will be inviting everyone in for music, DJs, performances and a roller disco.”

Entry to all the festivals is free and all are welcome – all the organisers hope for is some lovely weather to top off what is sure to be an amazing day!