Dumfries and Galloway gets ready to welcome JAMES ARTHUR and CASCADA to the region as Youth Beatz returns on the 13th August. Scotland’s Largest Free Youth Music Event returns to the town’s Dock Park as the event celebrates its 8th year. With all 12,000 tickets sold out in a record time for the event, and a fantastic line up of music, activities and The Toon, Youth Beatz 2016 promises to be another big success for the region.
Gates open at 1pm and spectators can enjoy the day until the finale at around 9.30pm, but only those with a valid ticket or pass will be allowed entrance to the event. Those lucky enough to have a ticket for the event will have the opportunity to enjoy the day time activities, witness performances by JAMES ARTHUR and CASCADA, who this year headline Youth Beatz. This year also sees the day time roster filled with local bands taking to the main stage from around 1.00pm, setting up the evenings an entertainment that also includes rising local bands ONR, Bella and the Bear, and Scope.
Similarly to previous years, the event will host a range of activities for all ages during the daytime. Among the usual attractions, there are some new additions to this year’s day time. Spider Mountain sets adventurers the challenge of finding their way up through a maze of 7 elasticated spider’s webs to height of 7m and then slide down our fantastic vertical drop slide This will be joined by a climbing wall that is 7m high and allows up to four people at a time to ascend the wall. Alongside these exciting activities are an assault course, a petting zoo, fairground rides, a mountain bike assault course, laser quest, surf simulator, a mobile youth centre and circus performers. As usual, the Bandstand will be filled with more local talent to entertain the crowds.
Tom McAughtrie, Chair of the Council’s Communities Committee said “As a Council, we are delighted to support an event that has something for all the family as well as being such a great community event. We are very well aware of the impacts Youth Beatz has on the local community and economy, but it’s great to see the range of old favourites and new activities that the event is bringing this year.”
That’s a lot, but that’s not all! Again at this year’s Youth Beatz event, the interactive youth information zone returns. The Toon takes you on a journey through the streets to raise awareness of issues affecting young people; this is an interactive experience that is both informative and challenging. Covering issues including suicide, drugs, sexual health, rape, happiness and more.
Other main attractions to look out for on the day include:
• Funfair Rides
• Character Costumes
• Young Business Market Place
Now in its eighth year, the award winning event is managed through a partnership led by the Community Learning and Development Service Nithsdale in conjunction with the Oasis Events Team. Funding for the event has been secured from Nithsdale Area Committee, Choices for Life, Young Start, CashBack for Communities, Westsound and the Inspiring Entrepreneur Project.
Also returning for 2016 is the successful Youth Beatz Fringe, that will see different events running for 7 days across Nithsdale including events in Kelloholm, Dumfries, Lincluden and Lochside giving young people even more to do over the summer. Keep visiting www.youthbeatz.co.uk/fringe for more information as it becomes available, and the full programme will be available in the coming weeks.
To get all of the last minute information surrounding this year’s events, visit www.youthbeatz.co.uk
