Ghoulish fun for Halloween (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Ghoulish fun for Halloween

9:45am Thursday 1st November 2012 in News

PINT-SIZED wizards and witches dodged the rain to enjoy an action-packed Halloween extravaganza.

Youngsters donned their finest fancy dress for a ghoulish fun day out in Whitefield on Sunday.

Organisers said more than 1,000 people attended the festival despite persistent rain and popular attractions included a giant robotic dragon, an appearance from Pirate of the Caribbean Jack Sparrow and a pumpkin-carving workshop.

Alex Stacey, chairman of Whitefield Business Group, said: “I am so proud of all those who braved horrendous weather to have some fun. I think we pulled off a fantastic day and there was a real show of community spirit.” The fiendish happenings took place in Hamilton Road Park, after some of the events planned for Victoria Park had to be cancelled, because of the waterlogged ground.

Nevertheless, visitors to Victoria Park enjoyed a game of zombie laser quest, tried their hand at archery and had their faces painted.

At Hamilton Road Park, businesses ran stalls and there were performances from Tom Goodale the spooky storyteller and a lantern-making session.

Joanna Hampson, aged 36, of Blackley, took her eight-year-old daughter Claire to the event. She said: “It was such good day. Claire loved it even though we did get a bit wet. The dragon was brilliant and I think the kids loved meeting new friends and dressing up.”

At the end of the spooky festivities, a team of volunteers from McDonald’s restaurant in Bury New Road, Besses, joined the clean-up.

Simon Toft, of McDonald’s, said: “I helped to organise the festival and was keen to work with members of the local community to help ensure the park was left tidy and clean. It is inspiring to see people join forces.”