COLIN Glen Forest Park in west Belfast is being brought to life with entertainers, music, activities, food and local crafts next week for St Patrick's Day. Waiting to greet the visitors on the feast day of Ireland's patron saint are the characters from popular children's book The Gruffalo as well as a magical fairy village.
Of course it being St Patrick's Day, the park will be filled with music and entertainment, with many new kids' activities. Children will be able to get into the atmosphere with face painters and bouncy castles, storytelling, animal petting stations, interactive dance, and a leprechaun hunt.
A craft and food village will provide a Gruffalo grub break from all the activities with stalls and tasty treats. The woodland floor will be coming alive with forest flowers, so download the new Colin Glen app to learn about the flora and fauna and history of the park.
Friday's event will also mark the launch of the centre's spring and summer season with outdoor activities that boast a climbing wall, zip line, high and low ropes course, team games, laser tag, water sports and archery.
Last year Colin Glen Forest Park welcomed over 3,000 people to the event, so a large crowd is expected. The park has teamed up with Translink who will be providing a park-and-ride service from their Black's Road site. The shuttle service will operate from 10.45am to 6.30pm. There will be no parking available on site.
Wrap up warm and wear sturdy footwear. Ticket prices: child: £4, adult: £5.50, family of four: £17 (two adults and two children or one adult and three children).
www.colinglen.org
There's lots happening at the Home of Saint Patrick Festival 2017, with the ringing of bells uniting all churches and creeds throughout counties Armagh and Down, places synonymous with the life of Patrick.
The 17-day event centres on Armagh city, Downpatrick, Newry, Loughgall, Dundrum, Castle Ward, Mourne Mountains and Slieve Gullion – all places that played a part in the life of the saint.
For more see saintpatrickscountry.com
