Setting sail for the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival programme launch

This year’s event will run from Monday, August 24, to Sunday, August 30 - blending entertainment, excitement, activities and culture.

The annual celebration is organised by East Dunbartonshire Council and partners including the Leisure and Culture Trust, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Seagull Trust, Forth and Clyde Canal Society.

Midweek highlights include a fun-packed ‘Story Week’, canal trips. street theatre workshops, and children’s flag-making activities.

The weekend will once again be a two-day feast of entertainment with Get Active Saturday and Gala Sunday.

There will be a host of activities on Saturday, culminating in the ever-popular fireworks spectacular and evening concert, starring The Jersey Boys and Shona Brown.

A few of the treats in store include cycling, canoeing, climbing, spin art, fishing and the chance to ‘Step Back in Time for a Taste of the 1940s’ at the Auld Kirk Museum.

William Patrick Library will host events such as 1940s children’s crafts, fancy dress, storytelling, face painting and the chance to learn the Lindy Hop.

Meanwhile, the gala on Sunday, August 30, offers many attractions including the fantastic land train, Coppers on the Canal, M&D’s Funfair, the Kennedy Cupcakes dancer), pirates, stilt walkers, the chance to walk on water, canoeing, pond dipping and cycling.

Events at William Patrick Library on Gala Sunday include a 1940s fancy dress competition, 1940s hair and make-up workshop, storytelling, tea dance fun, a family VE Day Celebration Street Party, WWII Kitchen, vintage family photos and face painters.

At the Auld Kirk on Gala Sunday there will be a jump ‘n’ jive troupe, face painting and dressing-up.

Meanwhile, Kirkintilloch Male Voice Choir will be entertaining with ‘pop-up’ performances at various locations on Gala Sunday.

And businesses are being asked to get involved by dressing their shop-front windows to allow members of the community to vote for the best dressed canal-themed window.

More information on the huge selection of events taking place is available on www.kirkintillochcanalfestival.org