The final countdown is now on after months of excitement and preparation, as Youth Beatz with Choices for Life returns.
On Saturday 12 August, the Dock Park in Dumfries will play host to headliners EXAMPLE and BEN HAENOW as well as a host of fantastic local talent and entertainment.
Scotland’s Largest Free Youth Music Event, which includes the interactive youth information area – The Toon, is all set to welcome the 12,000 ticket holders from 1pm [1300].
Youth Beatz 2017 also sees the next stage of its hard hitting immersive and interactive learning experience through The Toon.
The Toon Productions Presents Toonspotting brings a new twist on dealing with issues that affect young peoples’ lives. Topics addressed will include domestic abuse, knife crime, drugs and alcohol, mental health, and bullying.
More than 90 local young people volunteer to develop this and have been working all summer to put together this award winning educational experience. Make sure you book in early at the Toon Box Office to ensure you get a place on a tour, as tickets always go fast.
Throughout the afternoon in the park, there will be a massive range of activities for all the family to get involved in, including Laser Tag, Mountain Bike Display Teams, Nerf Gun arena, inflatable rides and assault courses, and a market place for young entrepreneurs and local youth organisations.
Entertainment in the form of music and dance will also be provided on both the Bandstand and the main stage. From 5pm [1700], the focus will switch to the bottom of the park and main stage where rising bands and artists Be Charlotte, Lewis Capaldi and Gracefell will ramp the crowds up ready for the main acts.
Councillor Ronnie Nicholson, chair of Nithsdale Area Committee, said: “Youth Beatz and The Toon provide a high quality experience that our Council is proud to support. This event provides a brilliant platform for the young people of Dumfries and Galloway to get involved and work together for the benefit of our communities.”
Councillor Tracey Little, vice chair of Nithsdale Area Committee and Provost of Dumfries and Nithsdale, said: “I’d like to thank the large number of volunteers who have given up their time to help make it a success, especially those who have been working all summer on planning, producing and organising it alongside the Oasis Events Team.”
In its ninth successful year, the award winning youth event is managed through a partnership led by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Youth Work Service in conjunction with the Oasis Events Team. Funding for the event has been secured from the Council’s Nithsdale Area Committee, Choices for Life, Young Start, CashBack for Communities, Magnox, the White Ribbon Campaign, and ScotRail.
Mark Molloy, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Manager for young people’s services said: “I strongly advise people who don’t already have tickets not to turn up on the day as no further tickets will be available. All successful ticket applications have been processed and tickets distributed by the event’s organisers. I also ask that people arrive early as there will be no admission to the event after 8pm [2000] and to remember that no food or drink is allowed to be taken into Dock Park.”
Police Scotland has worked in partnership with Youth Beatz planners to ensure the focus of Youth Beatz is on young people being able to attend and enjoy the event in safety. This is a no alcohol event and a robust policing plan is in place to ensure that anybody who attempts to enter this area in possession of, or under the influence of alcohol, will be refused entry. Any young person found in possession or under the influence of alcohol will have their parents contacted to attend in order that they can be taken home.
Inspector Gordon McKnight, Police Scotland, said: “Youth Beatz is an alcohol free event and police officers will work with event staff to ensure anybody in possession or under the influence of alcohol will not gain entry to the event. All partners that are involved in planning and delivering the event want it to be a success and enjoyable for all, and would appreciate the cooperation of those attending the event.”
For all the latest and last minute information surrounding this year’s event Click HERE