Grab your brolly this 1st June and head down to the Big Gorbals Fair for fun, food and festivities!
Gorbals Fair has fingers crossed for sunshine but is looking to get as many umbrellas as possible involved in the 2024 Big Gorbals Parade, which leaves Crossroads Barn on Abbotsford Place at 11am.
The theme for this year’s parade is climate resilience. It’s hoped that the collection of brollies can create a sea of colour representing resilience and hope in a world facing climate challenge.
The parade will leave Laurieston and weave through the Gorbals, finishing at the Piazza in Crown Street, where Des Clarke will officially open the Fair at 12pm.
Gorbals Piazza will be home to the performance zone, which will feature a line-up of community dance, music and theatre groups, including Fair regulars the Citizen’s Theatre Community Collective, Givin it Laldie and B Fabulous Dance Group.
Neil Packham and Elly Goodman of the Citizen’s Theatre look forward to sharing their performance:
“The Gorbals Fair is an annual highlight in the Citizens Theatre Community Collective's Calendar. We are delighted to return to the Gorbals Piazza with our latest theatrical offering.
“This year the group have been working hard to create a visual and playful performance, using umbrellas beyond their everyday use.”
At Gorbals Rose Garden there’s a host of activities for children and families to take part in, from Giggle n Grow’s Move, Dance, Go session for youngsters, to archery, arts and crafts, and a Sports Day session for all the family. Blackfriars Primary School is home to the fun zone, full of fairground rides and a football tournament open to all.
Michael Fullerton, Community Co-ordinator at New Gorbals Housing Association said:
“We look to continue building on the great success of the Fair since its return post-Covid 19. The community really gets behind the event and we’re hoping they can continue to show their support this year across the venues.
“We’d love to see as many people as possible joining in the parade this year, though I hope we don’t need to use our umbrellas for their usual purpose!”
In addition to the three dedicated zones, the emergency services will also be on hand, with families able to explore their vehicles and learn about their work. For those in need of some chill-out time, Gorbals Parish Church will host therapeutic sessions from SEAL such as massage and shiatsu, as well as free tea and coffee.
A selection of food and drink will also be available on the day, with SEAL offering free fruit bags at Gorbals Parish Church, whilst there will be free hotdogs and nachos, plus ice cream van and snacks all available in the Piazza. The Rose Garden will also offer a free barbecue and sandwiches.
You can download a copy of the Big Gorbals Fair programme here.