JOIN Span Arts & The Lab to celebrate the changing of the seasons at the River of Lights lantern procession on October 31 at 6.30pm.

People from across the county will gather outside The Lab (old Ocky White building) Haverfordwest before walking in the candle-lit lantern procession, that last year more than 1000 people took part in.

This year the organisers are challenging the perception that Haverfordwest becomes a ‘ghost town’ when the shops shut and the sun goes down.

In the lead-up to the event Span Arts’ Cheerful Project are working with artist Toby Downing to host lantern-making workshops around the county from October 21 – 30.

In an exciting development this year, parade participants are invited to bring their lanterns back to the Haverhub for an after party.

The new community venue will be open from 8 till late where music, a bar, refreshments and a fabulous atmosphere will await.

The parade this year will be also be celebrating the ordinary people who care and have reinvigorated Haverfordwest time and time again over the centuries.

The first of these is Joane Cheate who appeared as if from nowhere in 1652 to work as a plague nurse.

The second is William Owen, who was instrumental in building the Victorian town as the architect of New Bridge and Shire Hall.

If you’d like to make a lantern for the parade join one of the workshops, which will take place in various locations including Haverfordwest, Narberth and Maenclochog on October 21, 22, 28, 29 and 30.

The drop-in workshops run between 10am-4pm for a suggested donation of £2 per lantern kit.

For full details of venues visit www.thelabhaverfordwest.org or www.span-arts.org.uk or call Span Arts on 01834 869323.