People attending an event to mark 100 years since a local park was gifted to the town will be encouraged to partake in a rendition of “happy birthday” which could become the biggest ever sing-along in the region.
Grant Park 100 will be held on Saturday, August 24 and is to commemorate the centenary of the park in Forres being gifted to the town by philanthropist Sir Alexander Grant.
The event will take place from 11am till 5pm with activities running from the moment the gates open.
At 3pm, everyone will be asked to gather around ‘Arena 1’ to join in a massed ‘Happy Birthday’ sing-a-long.
Alan James, the chairman of not-for-profit company Forres Events Limited which is organising the event said:
“Grant Park 100 is going to be an amazing day out.
“There are activities happening from the moment the event opens, however, given it’s being held to mark such a significant moment in the history of Forres, we felt that it was important to take just a few minutes to stop, remember who Sir Alexander Grant was and then celebrate that we have this fantastic park due to his generosity with a big, happy birthday sing along.”
Alan James will be joined in the arena by Mark Laing, Sir Alexander Grant’s great grandson.
They will be driven into the arena in a 1927 Bentley by Lord Lieutenant of Moray, the Major General Seymour Monro.
Mr Laing will be at Grant Park 100 during the day and will give a talk on his great grandfather as part of the storytelling line-up.
He said:
“I think my great grandfather would be extremely proud to see the events that are being put in place to mark 100 years since he gave the park to Forres.
“It’s fabulous that so many people are able to enjoy the park today due to his generosity.”
Mr Laing added:
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to talk about him.
“He was a great role model to many members of the family, and he had a huge influence on the family, in Forres but also via so many different institutions across Scotland.
“I am very much looking forward to celebrating Grant Park 100 and I do hope that everyone enjoys the toast on the day.”
Grant Park 100 is an event for all the family with early bird tickets currently on sale.
It will boast two arenas which will stage a mini-Highland games with a twist, gun dog, sheep and falconry displays, the Forres and District Pipe Band and a car cavalcade from throughout the decades.
There will also be an interactive science tent, being organised by AES Solar and the T exchange, and two marquees with stalls, displays of the entries to competitions, demonstrations and talks.
Music will also play a key role, with a stage being set up in the floral gardens with entertainment throughout the day.
For more information and tickets, please visit www.grantpark100.com
