THE Ballycolman Community Association were congratulated this week on their hugely successful 'Haunted House'.
The usual and familiar surroundings of the community centre were completely transformed into a spooky house of horrors and provided fun and entertainment for kids of all ages and many of their parents who also dared to enter.
The event received a huge turnout, with over 100 people on opening night alone queuing up, under the watchful eye of the wordless guards and torch men, to see what thrilling surprises lay in store. Word of the hungry spirits and the lonely deserted graveyard quickly spread and the local and surrounding communities came out in their hundreds over the seven bewitched nights.
Chairman of Strabane District Council, councillor Gerard Foley commended the CONNECT project who co-ordinated the event, and the Ballycolman Community Association members who not only helped to organise the event but played the main terrifying characters in the house.
"I was hugely impressed by the professionalism displayed in the costumes, props and the sound and lighting effects, which culminated in a very entertaining and genuinely frightening experience. The whole event has attracted people from Strabane and indeed beyond the district, as word spread."
Meanwhile, the council's Connect Project co-ordinator Ashleigh Moss added: "The entire community helped in this event, under the guidance of Hot Rock Studios creative directors Phil and Pauric, who used their experience in horror movies to ensure a truly spectacular show. The project from design to fruition involved all age groups from skilled tradesmen to the young adults and teenagers who acted out the weird and wonderful characters who guided the general public through the house. For once they have been given a licence to thrill and frighten the wits of the public. But all done in the best possible cause!" she said.
The finale of the event was last night (Wednesday), with a fancy dress parade from the Haunted House to a spectacular fireworks display at Sigersons GAA club supported by the GAA club and local businesses. The group would like to give a special thanks to St John's Ambulance for their support throughout the week.
This event which looked to promote safer ways for the community to celebrate Halloween was funded under the Art of Regeneration project –supported by Strabane District Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's National Lottery programme.
