INVERCLYDE'S very own spooktacular showcase is celebrating a decade of screams and scares - and the 2024 frightfest is set to be the biggest and best yet. 

The Galoshans Festival turns 10 this year and the team at RIG Arts have organised an incredible array of ghoulish activities to mark the milestone. 

The centrepiece of the extravaganza, which starts today and runs until November 2, will be a street party, held in Custom House Square from 6pm on Tuesday, October 29. 

RIG Arts has joined forces with many organisations across Inverclyde to pack this year's programme full of activities for everyone. 

From spooky Bookbug sessions, street performances, and exhibitions, to short stories and poems, theatre, and Lego challenges, there will be something for Halloween fans of all ages out there. 

Karen Orr, co-founder and manager of RIG Arts, said: "In our tenth year, we're stronger than ever, and this is definitely the biggest festival programme we've put on. 

"Galoshans is very specific to Inverclyde, and is such a lovely tradition to keep alive."

Karen Orr and Rebecca Gage can't wait for the Galoshans Festival to get under way. (Image: George Munro) Karen said the idea for Galoshans Festival came from an event hosted by Aileymill and Ravenscraig former headteacher and current Inverclyde Music Festival stalwart Isabel Lind. 

Karen added: "That was the catalyst. Rikki Payne at Inverclyde Place Partnership started the festival and UZ Arts ran it for the first few years, funded by Creative Scotland. 

"It brought really high end art to Inverclyde.

"Inverclyde Council took it on in 2016 in partnership with RIG, and we took up the mantle from 2017 onwards."

Karen said RIG has helped grow the 'grassroots' of the festival and get people of all ages involved. 

She added: "We've helped to get communities involved and make everything accessible to people.

"When we took it on, we realised that people really enjoyed it and we knew we couldn't let it slip. 

"People look for it every year now. 

"We're celebrating 10 years of creativity with community at its heart."

Rebecca Gage and Karen Orr have put together a terrifyingly terrific programme for the 2024 event. (Image: George Munro) Karen said a partnership with arts producing house FERAL over the last couple of years has helped drive the festival forward. 

She added: "We now have the perfect combination of cutting edge outdoor theatre that's accessible for people. 

"We've grown the community based aspect of it, and FERAL are giving people access to street theatre and performances that they wouldn't normally be able to access in Inverclyde. 

"We're growing the audience for it and everything is free."

Karen thanked everyone involved in organising this year's events, especially Beth Duffy from RIG, and Kat Boyle and Jill Brown from FERAL. 

Funding for the festival is provided by Creative Scotland. 

Karen said the community consortium behind the festival is growing, and she wants to see that develop even further in the years to come. 

She added: "It's about preserving our place and our local traditions of Galoshans, and keeping it alive for the next generation."

* The Galoshans Festival's partners this year are Beacon Arts Centre, Inverclyde Libraries, FERAL, Creative Scotland, oceanallover, Oi Musica, Magic Torch Comics, TRANCND, Inverclyde Council, KAYOS, Wyllieum, Watt Institution, Rock Choir, and Clyde Muirshiel. 

To find out more about the festival programme visit galoshansfestival.co.uk/.