Alexandra Park is set to be a ‘hive’ of activity this Easter thanks to a unique cross-community festival themed around the life of bees.
Led by schools and community groups from across North Belfast, children from schools such as St Patrick’s and Seaview PS have been created working with the local artists to design and construct giant bees, gigantic flowers, bee costumes and bee houses.
In preparation for the event, over 400 children and young people from 22 local primary schools and youth groups have been learning about bees and their importance within Nature. And now their handicrafts and artwork will put on display within a Bee Colony in the Alexandra Park at the event.
This fun-filled event is free entry and opens to all. It takes place from 12pm-4pm on Saturday March 26 and will include music, dance, bouncy castles and an Easter Hunt. It will also feature eye-catching displays of circus skills, birds of prey, and dog shows.
Good Relations Officer with New Lodge Arts, Cecilia Heron said: “The Spring Festival is now in its second year, and we had such a great reception for our inaugural event that we’re hoping to communities will return to support us once more. We’ve laid on a fantastic day which we’re confident will offer a fun-packed day for children of all ages.”
Funded via the OFMDFM Central Good Relations Fund and organised by New Lodge Arts, the ‘Spring Festival’ aims to foster relationships and dialogue in shared communal spaces. Established by Ashton Community Trust, New Lodge Arts is one of Northern Ireland’s leading community arts organisations and also facilitates the ‘Lantern Festival’ every Halloween which now counts as one of the biggest cultural events in the city.
Alexandra Park, which is located between the Antrim Road and Shore Road in north Belfast, dates back to 1888 and is the site of a three-metre high peaceline which was erected in 1994.
For more information, follow the festival organisers on twitter @newlodgearts, friend them on facebook at www.facebook.com/nlarts, or contact Cecilia Heron at New Lodge Arts on 028 9074 2255 or email [email protected]