THINGS are set to get messy at an East Renfrewshire park later this month as it stages a Festival of Colour.

Families will be painting the town red – and yellow and pink and blue, purple and orange and green – when the fun event takes place at Rouken Glen Park.

They will use a bright powder called gulal, combined with loud music, to stage a celebration of diversity.

The aim of the Festival of Colour is to create a vibrant atmosphere to reinforce the message that religion and social status should not be a barrier within society.

Councillor Paul O’Kane, East Renfrewshire’s education and equalities convener, said: “This celebration, known as Holi, comes from the roots of Hindu belief and aims to bring people together, regardless of class, status, colour or creed.

“It is a fantastic celebration to have here in East Renfrewshire.

“We live, work, learn and play in a diverse area and value the fresh ideas and perspectives that the range of backgrounds, skills, attitudes and experiences brings to our community.”

The Festival of Colour takes place on Saturday, July 29, and activities will include henna hand painting, music and a bouncy castle.

There will also be a variety of food stalls to ensure no-one goes hungry.

All those taking part in the festival are advised to wear old clothes, as the gulal powder may cause stains.

The fun gets under way at noon and runs until 4pm, with paint-throwing starting at 2.30pm in the events area of the park, near the boating pond.

Entry to the festival – organised by the East Renfrewshire Hindu Association, East Renfrewshire Faith Forum, Diversity East Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire Council – is free.

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Organisers will be hoping the event enjoys the same sort of success as Barrhead’s first-ever Rainbow Run, which took place last month.

On that occasion, Carlibar Park, which started as a blank canvass, was transformed into a neon paint-splattered fun zone as around 1,000 runners took on a 2km course.

People of all ages flocked to the centre of town for the event, organised by Barrhead’s Business Improvement District (BID).

It is now hoped the Rainbow Run will become an annual event.