1. The purpose of this Technical Note is to advise Elected Members the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival (‘the festival’) will take place this year having been cancelled in 2020, 2021 and 2022 due to COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions.
2. The festival is an annual event held in the last weekend in August, which celebrates and promotes the town and its assets. It is the largest festival in the East Dunbartonshire events calendar attracting circa 25,000 visitors during the main weekend. The festival offers a diverse range of programmed activity for families and the wider community, and offers a large economic benefit to local businesses.
3. The festival will take place on Saturday 26 August, from 5pm to 10pm at Kirkintilloch Marina and on Sunday 27 August, 12pm to 5pm at Kirkintilloch Marina, Townhead, Cowgate and Barleybank. There will also be activity in the week leading up to the festival.
4. The festival links the Council with the following partners: Kirkintilloch Baptist Church, Regent Centre, Police Scotland, New Lanarkshire College, Forth and Clyde Canal Society, Seagull Trust, Scottish Canals, EDLC, Your Kirky and trader groups to pull together a programme of activity for the community to enjoy.
5. Officers will develop a communication plan for the event which will set out a programme of promotional activity running up to the event weekend. This will be delivered via various platforms and at regular intervals to maintain excitement and event visibility.