Running through a rainbow of colour
Arran’s first ever colour run was held during Santa’s Sparkle in Lamlash at the weekend. The event sees participants showered in a rainbow of fabulous colour as they take part in the run.
Organisers had promised the final Santa’s Sparkle would go out with a bang and no-one was disappointed.
The hundreds who packed Lamlash Green were treated to a spectacular music, light and firework display complete with live fire.
There was also excellent videomapping using the Glenisle Hotel as a canvas to show Christmas animations.
More people than ever flocked to the event, with many visitors from the mainland mixing with locals to enjoy the day.
From the outset of the now traditional arrival of Santa in the lifeboat at the pier, it was a day of sparkling entertainment and large crowds gathered along Shore Road to enjoy the Santa parade with Santa on a pony and cart followed by Heather Queen Jessica Reid and her maids.
By the time Santa made his way to his grotto in the marquee, there was a large queue of youngsters eager to meet him.
This continued most of the afternoon, with the queue outside the tent and along the pavement at one point.
The Christmas Market did a roaring trade, with shoppers keen to find Christmas gifts, and there were plenty customers at the burger stall.
After a display by the Sparkle cheerleaders, the festivities continued outside with egg and spoon and three-legged races organised by Save the Children.
Soon afterwards it was the event everyone had been waiting for - Arran’s first colour run.
Although the race had an entry limit of 36, which included a few adults, everyone could take part byshowering the runners in coloured powder. Many of the spectators ended up as dirty as the runners, but everyone was assured it would wash off.
Throughout the day events took place at venues throughout the village.
These included music and a talent showcase for all age groups at the Pierhead Tavern, Kathy’s Christmas cupcake decorating at the Lamlash Bay Hotel and a gift-making workshop in the marquee.
As the light faded, it was time for the Heather Queen Jessica to turn on the Lamlash Christmas tree, accompanied by traditional festive tunes from Arran Brass Band.
A performance by the Taiko drummers and a raffle were enjoyed ahead of the firework spectacular which brought the curtain down on the day’s events and was a fitting end to seven years of festive fun.
For some the party would go on with the final of the Pierhead Talent contest followed by live music and the Sparkle disco in the Drift Inn rounding off events there.
Lead organisers Timothy Billings and Geoffrey Dallamore of the Glenisle Hotel were delighted at how their final sparkle had gone.
Timothy said: ‘We are really, really pleased. The weather was wonderful with no wind and no rain. It is great so many people give up their time to be stewards and offer other assistance and the involvement of the other establishments and organisations meant that events were going on throughout the day.
‘We splashed out a bit on our last fireworks but at least there was a big crowd to enjoy them and everyone seemed to enjoy the day.
Geoffrey added: ‘It was extraordinary the kind comments people gave me on the day. It was very special for us.’