Bingo boost to Braemar Day funds
Preparations are well under way for the return of the Braemar Day celebrations in Blairgowrie next month.
The popular event is set to return this year following a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
And the volunteer-run Blairgowrie and Rattray Braemar Association committee is looking forward to a fantastic event with entertainment and fun for all the family.
This year’s Braemar Day, which will be the first since 2019, will take place on Saturday, September 3.
Committee member Hayley Nicoll said: “We’re really looking forward to the return of Braemar Day this year and have been busy fundraising and organising everything to ensure that it’s a day to remember. The programme will feature all the old favourites, such as the opening procession and the massed pipe band parade, inflatables and face-painting, performances from local dancers, singers and bands, and the fireworks display.
“There will also be a market with stalls from local crafters and producers, as well as fundraising stalls run by a number of local community groups, clubs and organisations, and food vendors.
“We’ve had great support from the local community and businesses which we are very grateful for.”
The committee recently held a bingo night with a difference at Blairgowrie Town Hall, featuring drag queens Raspberry and Miss Peaches, which raised an incredible £2000.
And over the past few months they have also held regular fundraising car boot sales at the Castle Water car park next to Tesco.
Hayley said: “We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported us in our fundraising efforts this year, it is much-appreciated and we wouldn’t be able to put Braemar Day on without it.
“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.”
This year’s event features the Linda Tosh Dancers, the Strathmore School of Dance, the Linda Grant School of Dance, the Vibe Dance Studio and the Northern Lites baton twirlers.
In addition to the pipe bands, there will be a number of other musical performances from Coast, Gracie Donaldson, Karen Arnold, Hannah
Galloway, Blair Snare, Fox and McHoul, and John and Luke Cunningham.
And there will be lots of other entertainment such as inflatables, fire engines, sports cars, stilt walkers and fire breathers.
The fun starts at 1pm with the parade from the Legion Scotland premises on George Street and will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display at 9pm. See the Blairgowrie and Rattray Braemar Association Facebook page for more.