Wallacetown will play host to an exciting Community Arts Festival next month.

The festival will take place in partnership with South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership, Ayr United Football Academy and local arts social enterprise, The Iris.

The Wallacetown Community Arts Festival has been billed as 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. 

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The free-to-attend festival will be held in various locations around the community from Monday, April 15, 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, April 20 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, and is set to begin at the top of Elba Street and proceed through the streets of Wallacetown to the stadium.  

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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.

Ross Hunter, festival co-producer and director of The Iris, 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.”

Councillor Martin Dowey, Leader of South Ayrshire Council, added: “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, hopes the event can draw crowds into the local area.

He 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.”