PUMPKINS are being carved, decorations are going up and costumes decided upon as we prepared to celebrate October 31 – Halloween.In this reporter’s opinion you are never too old to get into the spirit of the season and seek out the most ghoulish costume imaginable, McPeake’s and Elliott’s were always two staples to visit before the Halloween balls at university.

Whether it’s trick or treating, watching a firework display or ‘putting a penny in the old man’s hat’, plans for the annual holiday are under way in households across Belfast.

Keen to hear what local residents have planned we took to the Kennedy Centre to find out.

Lagmore’s Ann Marie McCann is planning to spend the always noisy Halloween evening with friends and family.

“My six-year-old son Owen is dressing up as a ninja. We are going over to friends for a Halloween party and there will definitely be dunking for apples and we will be playing all the traditional Halloween party games,” she said.

Out shopping with her daughter Sophia, Louise Bradley is heading for the Colin Glen Forest Park for Halloween.

“The family are heading to their annual Halloween parade and Sophia is going dressed as a kitten. We are going to see the firework display at the Odyssey later in the evening.”

Traditional

Finaghy’s Michael McCullough will be spending the night a little differently this year.

“I’m off to Nice in France to play banjo and whistle in an Irish traditional music session. I do enjoy Halloween and it’s something a wee bit different to be celebrating it in France.”

Falls Road woman Gráinne Cregan is off to see the fireworks.

“I love Halloween and after the fireworks finish we will be having a party to celebrate the occasion.”

Dunmurry resident Marlena Anderson will be spending Halloween in County Down. “The family are heading to Newcastle for a few days. It’s something different. We will all be dressing up but we haven’t decided on our costumes just yet.”

Finally, Caoimhín Jordan told the Andersonstown News: “Well, I’m working late on Halloween night but my wee daughter Fíadhna will be getting dressed up as a princess. I will be having a double celebration – two days later it’s my birthday.”