Families flock to park for first Oakley Festival

AROUND 400 people enjoyed fun in the sun at Oakley’s first festival.

The event, which was held in the park next to the Oakley Community Centre on Saturday, August 26, was in place of a gala this year and was a great success with locals of all ages joining in on the festivities.

Catherine Campbell, the chair of the Oakley & Comrie Events and Activities Group ( OCEAG), told the Press: “The feedback that we’ve had is that everyone enjoyed it.

“There was a good turnout of over 400 people and everyone, both the children and the adults, enjoyed it.”

Organised by the OCEAG, the small committee worked tirelessly to put on the inaugural event.

Activities included local bands, bouncy castles, bucking broncos, stalls and a petting zoo.

Catherine added: “It was a lovely day, it was dry, it was sunny and it was just lovely.

“It was the first time we did a mini festival rather than a gala but it seemed to be very successful.”

Despite this year’s success, Catherine and her team need more help planning next year’s event.

She said: “We’ve got an AGM on September 25 because we need more people on board.

“There’s only five or six of us active and it’s a lot of work for us.

“If we don’t get people coming forward we won’t be able to have any more events because it’s just too much.”

While they did have help from residents on the morning of the festival, they need more volunteers to get involved during the planning stages going forward.

Those who can help can go along to the meeting on Monday, September 25, at 8pm in the White Gates Pub in Comrie.