Nearly 100 events planned for upcoming Hullabaloo! children's festival in Offaly
Hullabaloo! -- Offaly's dedicated arts festival for children under 12 -- is now in its eighteenth year and returns from Wednesday, October 30, to Saturday, November 2.
The popular event will be held in Birr, Clara, Edenderry and Tullamore, and is expanding this year to also include activities in Kilcormac.
A statement issued on behalf of the organisers said Hullabaloo! will be "an extravaganza of creativity, art-making and fun experiences for all the family".
Hullabaloo! will seek to encourage children's creativity, with workshops and family performances designed to stimulate curiosity and originality.
With almost 100 events in this year's jam-packed programme, there will be something for everyone from writing, painting, crafts, drama, abstract art, drawing, hip-hop dance and more.
Family events, across a breadth of art forms from circus, film, music, theatre and puppetry, are also programmed.
The festival continues to promote inclusivity via affordable ticket prices, with workshops priced at €4 and show prices at €5.
Supported by Offaly County Council Arts Office, Hullabaloo! is coordinated by Birr Theatre & Arts Centre and Esker Arts with Creative Places Edenderry, Offaly Library Services, Clara Family Resource Centre and Kilcormac Development Association.
As the festival prepares to open county-wide, Emma Nee Haslam at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre commented, "It is very exciting to see a festival which was established eighteen years ago grow and spread across the county.
"We’re excited about the future development of the festival and working with Esker Arts to bring a programme to vast interests for children."
Sean Walsh of Esker Arts Centre added, "Hullabaloo! has become a much-anticipated annual event offering fun for all the family, and we are looking forward to expanding the offering for the Tullamore community and beyond."
Offaly Libraries continue to be a vital part of the Hullabaloo! programme, offering wonderful workshops and experiences for children in their Birr, Clara, Tullamore and Edenderry branches.
For full details of this year's programme, and to make bookings for the events, visit the festival's website at www.HullabalooFestival.ie