Kirkcaldy gearing up for Hogmanay celebration events

Kirkcaldy’s Festival of Township will pave the way for a bumper Hogmanay bash, a Fife councillor has said.

The five-day festival in the town square, which ended yesterday, hosted a diverse programme which attracted hundreds of people to the town centre.

Momentum is now building for the next major event in December.

Plans are being put in place for an ambitious four-day Twixmas – as the period between Christmas and New Year has come to be known – culminating in a spectacular New Year celebration.

Fife Council has invested £23,000 in the two events following complaints the town square was underused.

The Kirkcaldy Ingolstadt Association, Kirkcaldy4All, the YMCA and Music in Kirkcaldy are also involved in delivering the entertainment.

Councillor Neil Crooks, convener of Kirkcaldy area committee, said it was around a decade since the town square last hosted a New Year bash.

“Lots of people have said it is under-utilised and that’s why events like the Festival of Township and the beer festival are so good to see,” he said.

“The area committee wants to see more use of the town square for events like this one, which was very much a community engagement event.”

He added: “There is a lot going on at the moment but a lot of it is happening very quietly.

“Ideas have been building up towards Hogmanay and the people leading it have been making contact with bands and the like early on to see if they are available.”

The Festival of Township, held under canvas between Wednesday and Sunday, included a showcase of Kirkcaldy’s public services, clubs and community groups,

Tipples and entertainment took over at the weekend with a beer, gin and music festival at the event.