A SCARY line-up of events will take place throughout Greenock this weekend as part of the annual Galoshans Festival.

Taking place around Cathcart Square and venues across the town, audiences can enjoy music, performance and visual art from a host of local and international artists with most events free.

The centrepiece of the festival will be the Galoshans Parade on Saturday at 5pm, leaving from the Beacon Arts Centre and snaking through the streets towards the square. 

It will culminate in a colourful street party led by the internationally-renowned Orkestra Del Sol.

Participants are encouraged to dress up in their most outlandish costumes with prizes for the best ‘wee guisers’.

Groups can also register for the fancy dress competition on the night.

As well as music, audiences can follow a trail of stunning installations by local artists, see a performance of local memories by Italian artist Matteo Lanfranchi at the Mid Kirk and head to the Beacon for Dreamland, a dance performance by young people from Clydeview Academy, Beacon Youth Dance and dance students from West College Scotland.

There will also be music from the critically-acclaimed quartet the Furrow Collective and Inverclyde’s own Reely Jiggered.

Festival producer Neil Butler said: “It’s not just about watching, it’s about participating.

“What makes Galoshans a little different is that the artists have worked closely with schools and community groups in the lead-up to the festival.”

Galoshans was traditionally a folk play performed in many parts of Scotland since the medieval period.

As well as the best in contemporary work, the festival presents an opportunity to see Galoshans as it might have traditionally been performed by local heritage group Magic Torch, who have created their own version which will be performed at the Dutch Gable House and various venues throughout Inverclyde.

The festival is produced by UZ Arts and in conjunction with Inverclyde Place Partnership, Beacon Arts Centre, Inverclyde Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

It has also received support in the form of funding from Creative Scotland, and is sponsored by the Oak Mall shopping centre.

Full programme details are available online at www.galoshans.com/#programme.