Set sail for annual canal fun and games

Set sail for a splashing '¨feast of family fun as the annual Kirkintilloch '¨Canal Festival returns '¨this August.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Jun 2016, 11:27 BST
Updated 28th Jun 2016, 12:33 BST
Last year's Canal FestivalLast year's Canal Festival
Last year's Canal Festival

Part of Cowgate will be closed as roadworks continue on the controversial shared space scheme for the town centre.

But East Dunbartonshire Council leader Rhondda Geekie says this will not dampen enthusiasm or entertainment at this year’s nautical-based bonanza.

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Councillor Geekie added: “It will be a chance for people to see the completed phase of works at Barleybank - giving people a glimpse of the exciting future taking shape for the town.”

This year’s Kirkintilloch Canal Festival runs from Monday, August 15 to Sunday, August 21 with a range of boat trips during the week, combining canal, culinary 
delights and culture.

The festival weekend 
includes Get Active Saturday (featuring a live concert and firework spectacular) and the Gala Sunday is focussed around the Marina, Barleybank, the grassed area at Sainsbury’s and New College Lanarkshire’s Kirkintilloch Campus.

Get Active Saturday includes: Marina Food Court and licensed bar, Canoeing, Archery and Climbing Wall and interactive arts and crafts.

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Meet Team Noble who are rowing the Atlantic in aid of The Fire Fighters Charity. Kirkintilloch Baptist Church and the Auld Kirk Museum will also host events.

Saturday’s festivities will culminate in a live concert at the Marina - starting at 7pm - featuring songs from JLS and Take That, to The Temptations and the Black Eyed Peas.

That will be followed at 9.30pm by a fireworks spectacular, featuring music by Greg Friel.

The festival is organised by the council and a range of partners including Leisure and Culture (EDLC) Trust, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Kirkintilloch Baptist Church, the Regent Centre, Seagull Trust, Scottish Canals and the Forth and Clyde Canal Society.

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The Gala Sunday includes pirates street theatre and stilt walkers, funfair and carousel, canoe sessions, boat trips, Kirkintilloch Male Voice Choir, spin art, Coppers on the Canal and much more, including singer-songwriter Katee Kross.

More info at www.kirkintillochcanalfestival.org and www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/canalfestival

The council is working with East Dunbartonshire Tobacco Alliance to promote the canal festival as a 
Clean Air Event - with tobacco-free areas.

Related topics:East Dunbartonshire Council