Sensory support day for Spectra
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As the north-east gets ready to welcome the opening of Spectra in Aberdeen on Thursday, organisers are reminding visitors that the Relaxed festival session takes place on Sunday, February 12 delivered in partnership with local charity Wee Too.
Local charity AbleDeen will also be helping to make the festival more accessible for attendees by bringing their special mobile facility to Spectra.
Parked on Union Terrace, their service will be able to provide visitors with the use of mobility equipment such as manually power wheelchairs, powered scooters and walking frames.
The mobile unit will also offer a safe, quiet place for visitors to relax and gather their thoughts.
Equipment can be booked ahead of time via the Abledeen website.
Once again the festival will be offering a special relaxed session for visitors with additional support needs on Sunday, February 12.
Developed and delivered in partnership with local charity Wee Too, the session will offer visitors access to sensory aids such as ear defenders or fidget toys, a visual guide for the festival, and access to chill-out spaces away from the bustle of the festival sites.
Wee Too volunteers will also be available throughout the session, visible in bright green hoodies.
Aberdeen audiences will also be able to enjoy free travel to and from the festival through a special offer from First Bus, making it easier for locals and visitors alike to attend the festival on their chosen date.
Attendees who sign up to the Spectra mailing list will be able to claim one free day ticket, redeemed through the First Bus app, per app user to redeem during the festival dates from 9th to 12th February.
More information on the offer can be found at the Spectra website.
Graeme Macfarlan, Commercial Director for First Bus Scotland said:
“We are delighted to support Aberdeen City Council’s ‘SPECTRA, Scotland’s Festival of Light’ event by offering a free day ticket to everyone on the event’s email database.
“We hope as many people as possible attending this fantastic event will be able to take advantage of our ticket offer, whether they are a regular bus user or haven’t used the bus in a while.
"It gives a great opportunity for people to try out First Aberdeen services to travel safely to and from the event in a more sustainable, environmentally friendly way, and we hope the positive experience will lead to them using the bus more in future.”
Aberdeen businesses are also stepping up to support with audiences set to benefit from a number of offers across hospitality.
Spectra audiences will be spoiled for choice when it comes to food and drink options this year, with some of the big names in Aberdeen’s burgeoning food and drink scene stepping in to support this year’s festival.
Resident X, the unique new street food destination which lies in the heart of Marischal Square, will celebrate the festival with some incredible new promotions, including meal deals across its different food and drinks vendors.
The top-class mixologists at the Lab X cocktail bar have also concocted a special new light-up Spectra cocktail to celebrated the festival. Called Aurora, the eye-catching drink will be available to refresh and delight visitors during the festival weekend.
The eye-catching Resident X interior is also set to become a part of the festival programme itself, with the souped-up neon interiors and light tunnel designed by local firm Luxous set to be transformed into a durational light show for the festival weekend.
And audiences will be able to get a whole new perspective on the installations in Union Terrace Gardens from the nearby Terrace Bar at His Majesty's Theatre.
The brand-new eatery, which overlooks the city centre gardens, is the perfect spot to enjoy a view of the festival sights while tucking into some fabulous food and drink specials from mid-morning to evening.
The Common Sense bar and coffee house, situated in Union Terrace Gardens, will be staying open extra late during the festival to ensure visitors have a warm and cosy place to unwind and refresh after their festival experience.
And Coda, the stylish café/bar at the Music Hall, will also be offering extended opening hours during the festival, so Spectra attendees can enjoy a relaxing hot drink or bite to eat in a perfect city centre location.
