Manchester's giant inflatable monsters have returned to the city centre for their tenth year, but Storm Austen has forced organisers to scale back the planned Halloween in the City events. Most of the inflatables have already been taken down due to the severe weather forecast.
The MCR Monsters inflatable trail was scheduled to run from October 24 to 31, celebrating eight days of monster mischief. However, a special Monsters Party Procession has been reduced from six parades across the weekend to just one, starting at the bottom of Market Street at 11am on Saturday, October 24.
Scaled-back schedule
A reduced version of the event will run from 10am to 12pm on Saturday, and there will be a Monsters Library event at Z-arts on both days. The Sweet Treat Eating Leech, an eight-metre-long creature, will appear at 10.30am and 11.30am on Saturday, and monsters will be present at Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square, Corn Exchange Manchester, and The Royal Exchange Manchester. The others will remain hidden for the weekend to allow the worst of the weather to pass.
In a statement, organiser Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District said: "Due to the severe weather conditions forecast for Manchester this weekend, the difficult decision has been made to close Halloween in the City activities from 12pm on Saturday 24 October and throughout Sunday 25 October.
"The safety of visitors, performers, staff and everyone involved in the event is our absolute priority and with strong winds and storm conditions forecast, we believe this is the most responsible course of action.
"We understand this will be disappointing for visitors looking forward to celebrating Halloween in the City this weekend and we thank everyone for their understanding."
What remains open
The scaled-back schedule includes the Monsters Party Procession at Manchester Arndale on Saturday at 11am, the Sweet Treat Eating Leech at Exchange Square and New Cathedral Street on Saturday at 10.30am and 11.30am, and the Monsters Library at Manchester Arndale on both days at various times. MCR Monsters at Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square, Corn Exchange Manchester, and The Royal Exchange Manchester will remain up across the weekend.
The rest of the MCR Monsters are expected to return to the city's rooftops and buildings from Monday, October 26, to continue their 10th birthday celebrations, and are planned to remain in place until Friday, October 31, subject to weather conditions.
Monster locations
The monsters and their locations include Blob Gnarly at Manchester Arndale, Three Eyed Guy at Manchester Arndale above Next, Withy Ghoul at Printworks Pumpyard, Terrif-Eye at Corn Exchange Manchester Atrium, Harry & Gordon at Selfridges Manchester, and Ooey, Gooey, Scary Gary, Nasty Nelson, and The Swizzeler at Exchange Square and New Cathedral Street, all only on October 24 and 25. Others include The Royal Exchange Ghouls, Barkus at Treehouse Hotel Manchester, Jack Sabbath at AO Arena, Albert Slime-Stein at the Science and Industry Museum, Krampus at The Bungalow @ KAMPUS, Medlocktopus at Mayfield Park, and The Medlock Monster at Medlock Hotel.
Organised by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District and sponsored by British confectionery maker Swizzels, the two-day celebration had been expected to run from 10am to 6pm on October 24 and 10am to 5pm on October 25, featuring walkabout performers, party games, live DJs, and the roaming procession. The Monsters Party Procession, designed by Walk the Plank and inspired by the original MCR Monsters by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas, was set to make its way through Market Street and Manchester Arndale, but will now be a single parade on Saturday morning.
