Park life: Fresh Air Festival back in town

A NEW festival blows back into Dunfermline like a breath of fresh air this weekend.

Back for its second year in the public park tomorrow is the Fresh Air Festival, combining the fun of a summer fete with the laid-back atmosphere of a music festival.

The festival aims to celebrate outdoor fun and highlight the work being done to improve Dunfermline’s other great park, the Public Park.

Last year the first hot day of the summer saw around 2,000 people enjoy live music at the bandstand and a host of nature and sports activities. This year there is even more. Back by popular demand are the ponies, along with cycling, rugby, football, keep-fit, parkour, birds of prey and the mobile museum.

New for this year are nature walks in the redeveloped School Wood, classic cars from Knockhill Racing Circuit, model aeroplanes, mini-golf, chainsaw sculptures, karate, displays of park and arts/outdoor projects, Dunfermline walks and Red Cross and Police Scotland demonstrations.

The event is arranged and promoted by the Public Park Improvement Group, formed in 2012 by Dunfermline Community Council and Fife Council with the objectives of improving and promoting Dunfermline’s “other” public park — ie not wellknown Pittencrieff Park.

The group is working on various projects which come out of an initial consultation report from Greenspace Scotland.

Central Dunfermline Community Council chairman Jim Stewart said: “Refreshments will be available but bring your own tartan rug. If it’s wet bring your wellies; the festival is all about the outdoors and should be just as much fun come rain or shine.”

The Fresh Air Festival is put together on a budget of just £4,000 and Mr Stewart said the organisers are grateful for event funding by Fife Council and the Carnegie Dun fermline Trust.

“We have also introduced A Pound for the Park so we can continue the festival next year and spend any profit directly on the park,” he added.

The fun starts at noon and runs in the Public Park until 4pm.