Just Days to go Before Big Burns Supper and the Dumfries Burns Night Carnival
Still opportunities for volunteer stewards in the big procession
Burns Night will see a spectacular lantern lit carnival wind its way through the streets of Dumfries – the Bard’s favourite town.
It’s one of the highlights of Big Burns Supper, a nine-day festival of music, comedy, theatre, cabaret, culture and fun. BBS 2015 starts this Friday with great acts like Nina Nesbitt and Hue and Cry taking centre stage.
The carnival, on Sunday 25th, will feature 2015 lanterns in celebration of UNESCO’s 2015 Year of Light.
There are still opportunities available to be at the heart of the huge procession as a voluntary steward.
For people who can’t make it in person the procession will be broadcast live online and you can see it just by going to the Big Burns Supper website at http://2014.bigburnssupper.com/.
The carnival, which also has Scotland’s 2015 Year of Food and Drink as a theme, has taken months of preparation with the organisers working closely with schools, community groups and many others to plan and create the costumes and the floats.
Graham Main, Big Burns Supper Artistic Director, said: “It’s a huge piece of work to create a carnival, but it’s great because so many people get involved. And it’s fun being part of it – we still have spaces for a few more volunteers, so if you want to be right at the heart of things get in touch.
“The lanterns will look brilliant and we will have around 2015 of them especially for the Year of Light. But really, nothing could be better than a food and drink theme for a carnival on Burns Night when people all round the world will be thinking about Scottish cooking as they tuck into haggis neeps and tatties.
“We are really looking forward to the event and welcoming people from all over Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland and beyond to be part of a magical occasion.”
To put yourself forward as a volunteer contact Moira Priestley on [email protected] or 01387 271820.
This year the carnival costumes will include a giant haggis, vegetables and tattie-bogle scarecrows, plus all sorts of creatures from the oceans.
The carnival starts at 5pm on Sunday, 25 January and will be led by a huge lantern which has been made in conjunction with Barnardo’s Scotland, which is Big Burns Supper’s partner charity.
BBS is a festival of contemporary and traditional culture and a huge public celebration of the birthday of Scotland’s national Bard, Robert Burns, in his beloved town of Dumfries. It is also part of Scotland’s Winter Festivals (a programme of events managed by EventScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government) and attracts thousands of visitors from across the UK and overseas.
The festival is made possible by support from many organisations including 8020 and Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Beacon Event Programme.
Once again BBS has teamed up with other local festivals and promoters to present eclectic club nights which include the Eden Opening Party.
The carnival is supported by the Robertson Trust, Holywood Trust and Awards for All. Year of Food and Drink Scotland will build on the momentum generated by Homecoming Scotland 2014 with a series of exciting events and activities celebrating Scotland’s outstanding natural larder.
This year Big Burns Supper has teamed up with Barnardo’s Scotland as its first ever charity partner. Text BURNS to 70500 to donate £3 to Barnardo’s Scotland.
