In Pictures: Marvellous McElhinneys windows combine community and culture

Families and friends were spellbound by the magic of McElhinneys this evening as their famous Christmas windows were unveiled.

This year’s event was a unique combination of the creative arts, education, culture and fashion.  The collaboration brought many communities together and added a new innovative dimension to the McElhinney’s Christmas window for 2017.  

Hundreds of people came out for the feel-good festive event in Ballybofey, with music, dancing and much excitement as the beautiful display came to light at 5pm.

The theme of the windows this year was revealed as the ‘The Nutcracker’. The famous ballet theme has brought a great partnership between Creative Designer Eilish Kennedy and Jessica Peoples, director of the ZoNa dance company from Letterkenny, who added a mix of theatre and dance to the unveiling.  Twenty five graceful ZoNa ballerinas danced in the McElhinneys foyer to famous music from Tchaikovsky’s compositions.  

Four live ballerinas in character twirled inside the windows, much to the delight of children. The window was alive with moving devices, colour and sparkle to tell the 200-year-old tale of The Nutcracker in breathtaking scenes.

The launch brought people together from all over Donegal. The St. Catherine’s marching band from Killybegs took to the street decked out in red uniforms.

An outdoor stage was set up to provide wonderful entertainment acts, compared by Paul Logue who kept the excitement built up to the big moment. Carol singers from seven local schools provided a beautiful sprinkling of cheer and the Irish dancers from the Murphy/Moore Academy also performed.

Fire eaters wowed crowds outside and music swelled through indoor departments from the Brass Band from Strabane. Santa Claus made a grand entrance, with help from his energetic elves from the Butt Theatre.

This was the first time that McElhinneys had collaborated with the local Chamber of Commerce – who switched on the lights throughout the Twin Towns at the same time as the unveiling.

Up to 20 dedicated team members have worked together to build and perfect this window in recent weeks, with the entire McElhinneys staff force contributing in their own ways.

Planning began as far back as January, and this evening was a proud moment for many as their work was admired and celebrated. The window will be lit from now until Christmas, with many shoppers expected to come a see it for themselves in the weeks to come. 

Check out more photos of the display below, and follow Donegal Daily for a festive family picture special very soon.

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