Westmeath Culture Night is returning in 2012 with an array of events lined up for the big day on Friday, September 21.

This year the event has been put together to create more of a 'festival' feel with a large number of events taking place in close proximity with a number of key centres to make it easier for people to tour the culture on offer.

Athlone, Moate, Mullingar, Delvin, Castlepollard and Kinnegad will all be hosting numerous events on Culture Night.

Some of the events include a GAA Players Art Exhibition in Castlepollard Library; a lunchtime recital from a selection of musicians from the Midlands Youth Orchestra, Mullingar Town Band and Westmeath VEC at the Old National School, Kinnegad; a performance by actress Mary McEvoy at The Garden Gallery, Crowestown, Delvin; Viking Tours River Sailing with historical and environmental talk on the River Shannon, departing from the rear of Athlone Castle and Mullingar Student Players will perform A Chorus of Disapproval at Mullingar Arts Centre.

Again this year, every single event is free in a bid to encourage people living in Westmeath and its environs to get out and about and have a snapshot of what is available in the county all year round.

Catherine Kelly, Westmeath County Council Arts Officer, explained: "This is one event which really relies on the community in order to stage it. We are once again delighted and so impressed with the selection of ideas and events which will be on offer on Culture Night.

"This year we have events centred around some key centres in the hope that it will be easier for people attending events to walk from one to another and experience as much as possible on the night. We really thank everyone for all their help in bringing Culture Night 2012 to fruition."

Events will run from morning to close to midnight to make sure Westmeath Culture Night showcases as much variety as possible at times to suit all ages and schedules.

For further information contact www.westmeathcoco.ie/arts or follow on www.facebook.com/westmeath.arts.