Braemar Day fun
Alternative parade route
The bunting and banners are up and the final preparations are being put in place ahead of the 66th Braemar Day in Blairgowrie, which takes place on Saturday.
The event is organised by the Blairgowrie and Rattray Braemar Association and is going ahead despite the collapse of the road at the Wellmeadow on Friday.
Organisers have had to find an alternative route for the opening parade and the massed pipe band parade in case repair work to the road is not completed in time.
And Perth and Kinross Council has said that alterative arrangements will be made to try and get the traffic at the Wellmeadow working as normally as possible.
This year’s event will feature many favourite attractions, including the opening procession and the massed pipe band parade with Blairgowrie and Rattray Pipe Band and Coupar Angus Pipe Band.
There will also be a market with stalls from around 20 local crafters and producers and demonstrations run by a number of local clubs and organisations, including the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, teams from Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Football Club, Warpweftweave Studio, gluten-free tasty treats from Alison’s Kitchen, Cornerstones Nursery and a pop-up art studio.
Bank Street will be closed and will be lined with stalls, including food vendors and fun activities for childen.
The entertainment gets under way at 1pm with the procession, which will leave the British Legion at 1.15pm.
A number of local clubs will be taking part in the parade and everyone is welcome to join in.
The packed programme also features performances from local dancers, singers and bands and this year will also see circus workshops with Circus Sensible, who will be hoola-hooping, facepainting, stilt-walking and balloon-making throughout the day.
The Blairgowrie and Rattray Junior Drum Corps will also be playing.
Headlining this year’s event is talented duo Jordan Fox and Callum McHoul, fresh from their gig in Blairgowrie Town Hall last month where they supported local hero Dougie Maclean at a fundraising night for the Braemar Day celebrations.
The organising committee have also been working with Rattray’s Rug Rats, Cornerstones Nursery, BRCFC and primary one pupils at Newhill and Rattray primary schools on the design of the programme.
And the Blairgowrie and Rattray Young Person of the Year, Eve Campbell, will light the spectacular fireworks display at 9pm to end the day’s festivities.
The event is run entirely by volunteers, who raise funds throughout the year to keep the much-loved tradition alive.
Committee member Helen Breen said: “We would like to thank all the local businesses and members of the public for their continued support of Braemar Day.
“We are a charity and receive no funding from any sources other than public donations and without the generosity of local businesses and organisations this event simply wouldn’t happen.
“In particular we would like to thank TJB Landscape Services, who gave up their time to put the bunting up around the town last week, the schools and nurseries for their involvement in producing the programme, Perth Sound and Light for the stage and Number 31s for providing a meeting space for the committee.
“We would also like to thank Tesco and everyone who voted for us in the Tesco Bags for Life campaign, which saw us receive funding of £2000, and everyone who has helped us in any way at all or supported any of our fundraising activities in the last 12 months.
“We’re looking forward to another great event and hoping for a good turnout from the community - and that the weather is kind to us.”
We’re looking forward to another great event and a good turnout Helen Breen