Lantern-making sessions under way for Dumfries Burns Carnival

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Organisers of the Big Burns Supper are counting down to the first carnival procession in years by offering Dumfries and Galloway children and grown-ups the chance to make their own lanterns ready for the parade.The first of seven free and fun workshops to make colourful and creative lanterns – running to January 12 at various venues – was held at Dumfries Ice Bowl with a host of extra activities, DJ, music and free skating.And there was an appearance by the Big Burns Supper mascot Hamish the Haggis, who was joined at the Ice Bowl by Pecky and Finn – the mascots of Dumfries Ice Bowl and Solway Sharks.Chris Jardine, duty officer from Dumfries Ice Bowl, said: “Our mascots were excited to join forces and spread holiday cheer.

We were thrilled with the creativity and joy the event brought.”More workshops have been held at the Jolly Harvester Pub, Calside; at Queen of the South Aren – with glow in the dark football and a visit by Queen of the South’s mascot, Dougie the Doonhamer, run in partnership with the Queen of the South Community Trust – and at Dumfries Baptist Church, Georgetown.There are more of the free pop-in lantern-making workshops to come on Saturday, January 11, from 10am to 4pm at the YMCA, Lochside, Dumfries – run in partnership with LIFTD&G and the YMCA – and in the Dumfries Multicultural Centre (former Debenhams) on Dumfries’ High Street, from 10am to 2pm.As well as on Sunday, January 12, from 10am to 4pm in the Lochar Inn, Locharbriggs, Dumfries; and Friday, January 17, from noon to 8pm, at the Midsteeple Quarter’s The Press building on Dumfries’ High Street.

Children and grown-ups are invited to join in the remaining lantern-making sessions and each feature Hamish the Haggis, live music, poetry,