Five-metre spider puppet takes centre stage at Galoshans

Galoshans Festival <i>(Image: George Munro)</i>
Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)
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GREENOCK'S streets were brought alive with the sights and sounds of a spooktacular spectacle at the centrepiece of Inverclyde's Galoshans festival.

More than 1,000 people came along to Custom House Square to enjoy the annual event - which returned to the streets after bad weather forced the 2025 parade to be moved indoors.

Organisers were also delighted that the strong winds and heavy rain that had struck Inverclyde in the days before the event eased off just in time to allow the parade to be held, as planned, in the open air.

A five-metre animated spider puppet, named Arachnobot, took centre stage at the Beacon Arts Centre before creeping outside to thrill and terrify the crowds.

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

The Galoshans Festival is a creative collaboration between RIG Arts, Feral Arts and the Beacon Arts Centre.

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

Jill Smith, producer with Feral Arts, said: "The Aracnobot is a first for Galoshans. The children on stage with the puppet are from the Royal Theatre School of Scotland and are all local children from the Inverclyde area who have been doing pop up performances throughout the festival and will be performing later on."

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

Speaking about the spider puppet, she said: "It's quite impressive, it's five metres high and has kinetic arms and legs which can be operated independently. The kids are enjoying it."

Karen Orr from RIG Arts said: "It was a brilliant street party - and we were so lucky to get a break in the weather.



"We had more than a thousand people, and Custom House Quay was buzzing.

"The performances from the Inverclyde YMI Street Band, the Theatre School of Scotland with Gayle Telfer Stevens, and the Circus Arts School School performing pirates fire and aerial performances were fantastic."

The event also featured a Haunted Home puppet by Neve Pearce, and a folklore monster created by Ailie Rutherford and Kim McClelland.

There were also illuminated wicker fairy gates by David Powell and a Travelling Gallery bus.

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

Galoshans FestivalProvost Drew McKenzie welcomed the crowd (Image: George Munro)

Scary spider creeps around (Image: George Munro)

Ms Orr said: "It’s great to have this free event keeping Inverclyde's Galoshans heritage alive thanks yo Creative Scotland’s multi-year funding for RIG Arts."

The illuminated Galoshans giants who have been a favourite in past parades returned for this year's procession along the waterfront to Custom House Square.

They were joined by the Inverclyde YMI street band, including pupils from St Ninian’s and Moorfoot primaries, who performed 'Praise You' and 'Ghostbusters' on brass instruments and drums.

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

Greenock mum Brogan Howie attended with her 16-month-old daughter Lily, marking the youngster’s second visit to the festival.

Ms Howie, 32, said: "She was only four months old when we first brought her.

Galoshans Festival (Image: George Munro)

"It's really nice to see all the wee ones perform and the music is really good."

Arlene Keough, 67, from Gourock, attended with her family and said: "I go to an arts class at RIG Arts and I've been watching all the hard work that has gone into it.

"It's amazing to see it like this.

"It's amazing to see all the lights and crowd here.

"It's great to see it all coming together."

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