A SPECIAL lantern-lit parade will close Irvine’s spectacular Festival of Light, organisers have revealed.

The Scottish Maritime Museum are inviting residents to join them to create a ‘ship of dreams’ to lead the lantern parade on Saturday, December 3 and make the event a shining success.

The parade will take place at 6pm and is part of a collaboration between the museum, the Ayrshire Youth Arts Network (AYAN) and the Harbour Arts Centre.

AYAN will lead a series of free, artist-led lantern and banner making workshops throughout November ahead of the big launch on St Andrew’s Day (Wednesday, November 30).

Those who attend will be able to make their own lantern or banner to carry in the parade as well as help build two stunning art works for the parade - a giant fish and the ship of dreams.

Award-winning multi art-form performer, Ariel Killick, will be resident at the Courtyard Studios on Harbour Street throughout November leading the ship of dreams drop-in sessions.

The workshops will begin with a Gaelic dream and storytelling session and culminate in everyone helping construct the Ship of Dreams, which will hold the dreams of the community.

Artist and expert willow weaver Geoff Forrest will lead drop in wicker fish sessions at the Scottish Maritime Museum where everyone can get involved with the design and building of something weird and wonderful

The series of workshops will take place at the museum, Courtyard Studios, Harbour Arts Centre and at  other venues within neighbouring communities.

The Scottish Maritime Museum and AYAN are also inviting community groups, which would like to host a lantern making workshop to get in touch.

To find out more about the Lantern Parade workshops or book a free workshop for your community group, contact Laura at Ayrshire Youth Arts on info@ayrshireyoutharts.com or 07713 585584.