Save the date for Wallacetown Community Arts Festival

Wallacetown will soon play host to an exciting Community Arts Festival, thanks to the South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership, Ayr United Football Academy and local arts social enterprise, The Iris.

The Wallacetown Community Arts Festival is a celebration of the rich history of Wallacetown, embracing the wonderful talent of the present and laying the foundations for a bright and creative future. 

The free to attend festival will be held in various locations around the community from Monday 15 April, and will include film screenings, art exhibitions, music events, a history walk and more.

The 'grand finale' event to round off the week will be held on the grounds of Ayr United Football Club at Somerset Park in Ayr on Saturday 20 April from 12pm until 3pm. There will be a musical street parade involving schools and services participating in the festival, led by the Police Scotland Pipe Band. The parade will begin at the top of Elba Street and proceed through the streets of Wallacetown to the stadium.  

The festival has been produced and curated by The Iris, who specialise in providing accessible, affordable and unique arts and entertainment opportunities to South Ayrshire communities.

Partners from the South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership, Ayr United Football Club and The Iris met with local councillors and Chief Officers from South Ayrshire Council today, Friday 22 March, at Ayr United Football Club to find out more about the festival.

Festival Co-Producer and Director of The Iris, Ross Hunter, said: "It has been a genuine pleasure to work alongside our partners in the South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership and Ayr United to create this festival. The theme of the inaugural festival will be 'Foundations', looking to build on the positive past of the industrial area lay to the beginnings of a bright creative future for Wallacetown."

Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Martin Dowey, said: "This festival is a great opportunity to bring the Wallacetown community together and to shine a light on the work of our South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership. With events and activities run over a full week there will be something for everyone."

Councillor Alec Clark, South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Rural Affairs said: "Bringing these kinds of festivals to local people is really important for community spirit, and I know there will be a fantastic variety of events available to suit the whole family. I hope it will encourage residents to get together, share their experiences and celebrate the wonderful history of this part of the town."

Councillor Julie Dettbarn, Chair of South Ayrshire's Community Planning Partnership, said: "I'm delighted to hear that this festival is set to come to Wallacetown.  I'd like to thank the members of the partnership who have worked with the community to make this happen and highlight the pride local people have in their area.

Councillor Bob Pollock, South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Economic Development said: "The Wallacetown Community Arts Festival promises to be a great event for the whole community. There has been a significant multi-agency contribution over the last few months to make sure the festival is accessible to the entire community. This builds on our commitment to making sure that there is a brighter, positive future for the area."

More details on events taking place during the festival will be available soon.