The countdown is on to this year’s Kirkintilloch Canal Festival – which offers family fun, thrills and all things nautical and nice.
Thousands of people will flock to areas around the town centre to enjoy this year’s treasure chest of entertainment:
- Story Week (20-24 August) – including canal boat trips for people of all ages
- Get Active Saturday (25 August) – including street theatre, canoeing, archery, water rollerz, climbing wall, Gin and Whisky Festival, evening concert with We Love the 90s and fabulous fireworks
- Gala Sunday (26 August) – including classic cars, market stalls, street theatre, live music, dancing displays, Coppers on the Canal and more.
Pop-up Opera will bring ‘Be a Sport, Spike!’ and ‘HMS Pinafore’ to life with the help of a storyteller, singers, musicians and colourful illustrations on Saturday 25 August. Shows will be performed in a specially-adapted, fully-accessible trailer. Book your place by visiting https://www.edlc.co.uk or call 0141 777 3143.
The Canal Festival – organised by the Council in partnership with a range of organisations, including East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture (EDLC) Trust – attracts thousands of visitors every year, boosting the economy and the area’s status as a visitor destination.
This year's programme once again offers a wide range of attractions, as well as providing a platform for community groups, hostelries and local businesses to get involved.
An Economic Impact Assessment of the 2017 Festival – carried out by Caledonian Economics – found a total of £283,712 was spent locally, based on an estimated figure of 23,000 attendees.
Councillor Billy Hendry, Convener of the Council’s Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee, said “Excitement is building as we count down to the 2018 Kirkintilloch Canal Festival.
“It’s a highlight of the year – not just for Kirkintilloch, but for the whole of East Dunbartonshire – giving residents and visitors the chance to get active and have fun.
“Council colleagues and partners are really pulling together to ensure it’s another success, with a sparkling range of entertainment for all the family.
"It’s also a great boost for East Dunbartonshire’s economy. An assessment of last year’s festival found that a total of £283,712 was spent locally by attendees.”
For more information, visit www.kirkintillochcanalfestival.org
* Kirkintilloch Canal Festival is organised by the Council and partners including EDLC, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Kirkintilloch Baptist Church, the Regent Centre, New College Lanarkshire – Kirkintilloch, Seagull Trust, Scottish Canals, the Forth and Clyde Canal Society and Kirkintilloch & District Classic Vehicle Club.
* Once again, there will be smoke-free areas in association with East Dunbartonshire Tobacco Alliance, with the aim that Gala Sunday is entirely smoke-free.
* Zero Waste Scotland will be in attendance to consult on a deposit return scheme for empty drinks containers on Gala Sunday.
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