The Stove Network pave the way for their seventh annual Nithraid River Festival at the end of this month with a series of events and activities for the Dumfries and Galloway community to get involved with in the lead up to a day of free, family activities and fun down by the river on Saturday 31st August.
Project Manager, Sal Cuddihy, commented: ‘It’s really exciting to see the event continue to grow and change with each passing year, and we’re looking forward to our biggest and best Nithraid ever at the end of this month. We’ve been overwhelmed by the support of local businesses and community groups this year – Dumfries is definitely pulling together for the Nithraid!’
This year, the Salty Coo procession is being led by Blueprint100, an open and inviting group who provide creative experiences and opportunities for young people under the age of 30. Over the last two months, the Blueprint100 team have been hosting workshops with various local community organisations to create banners and flags which represent themselves or their community to carry in this year’s procession.
Jordan Chisholm, lead artist for the procession, commented: ‘Our theme for this year’s procession is ‘powerful communities’ and we have been working on making this the biggest and best one yet by getting as many Doonhamers involved as possible and inviting them to walk side by side with us on the day of Nithraid.’
On Friday 16th at 7pm, the Stove’s monthly pop-up cinema, Reel to Real, will be screening ‘The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou’, from renowned director Wes Anderson, featuring an all-star cast which includes Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett and Anjelica Houston. The Stove Cafe will be open from 6pm serving pre-film supper for £5 per person and there will be an opportunity for discussion after the film over a complimentary drink.
On Friday 30th August, the River Festival celebrations begin with the Stove’s monthly open mic night, Brave New Words, moving to the Mill Green for one night only. The evening invites the public to sign up to perform spoken word poetry, play music, screen a film or just enjoy the spectacle. Sign up on the night! The evening will also feature a special performance from contemporary folk-fusion band, Reidhle and a bar serving locally produced ales
Saturday 31st August sees the seventh staging of the Stove Network’s annual Nithraid River Festival on the Mill Green. The community-led event starts with a sailing race, leaving Carsethorn at 11.30am, with boats expected to arrive in town from 12.45pm onwards. The Procession of the Salty Coo leaves the Stove at 11.30am and arrives at the Nithraid Village on the Mill Green, where there will be a jam-packed day of family fun, including live music, food and activities.
Nithraid Nighttime begins at 7pm and features a specially commissioned light installation called ‘Nithlight’, which can be enjoyed on the Mill Green or from across the River. This year, several pubs around the town are also celebrating Nithraid 2019 and are hosting a range of musical acts, including Tam’s Twin Sister at the recently re-opened Douglas Arms on the Vennel, Daz McCormick at the Stag and the Mindsweepers at the Queen of the South Bar.
For more information and to view a full schedule of events, please visit the Nithraid website: www.thestove.org/nithraid
Nithraid 2019 is funded and sponsored by: The Holywood Trust, Creative Scotland, The National Lottery, Dumfries & Galloway Council Growth Fund, The Robertson Trust, The Barfil Trust and SP Energy.
