A Moray town is gearing up to celebrate 100 years since its local park was gifted to it.
Thousands of people are expected to descend on Grant Park in Forres this Saturday, August 24, to enjoy a day of activities, live music, games and a variety of entertainment.
Grant Park 100 will boast two arenas.
One will offer a ‘free to enter on the day’ mini–Highland Games including haggis hurling and welly wanging, while the other arena has falconry, sheep shearing and gun dog displays, the Forres & District Pipe Band and a car cavalcade from throughout the decades.
There will be a live music area boasting seven different performances, two marquees with exhibitions, displays from the five competitions which have been held in the run up to the event and storytelling including a talk from Mark Laing, the great grandson of Sir Alexander Grant.
The event, which is being run by Forres Events Limited, the not-for-profit business behind Piping at Forres which was held in the town for six years will kick off at 11am.
It is being held to celebrate 100 years since Sir Alexander Grant, also known as the inventor of the digestive biscuit, gifted the park to Forres.
People attending the event are being encouraged to dress up in outfits and costumes from the 1920s to the present day and at 3pm, everyone can join in a park-wide singalong of Happy Birthday to Grant Park.
Joanna Taylor, a director of Forres Events Limited said:
“From the moment that the gates open at 11am there are back-to-back activities for people to enjoy. There is so much on, that actually, guests will be hard pressed to experience it all.
“The programme reflects activities that have taken place in Grant Park over the years, but there is also entertainment, demonstrations and exhibits that focus on the land and heritage of the area.”
She added:
“There are many free activities for people to participate in across the park including circus skills, kick darts, lawn bowls, weaving willow, and much, much more.
“A countryside classroom will give you the opportunity to learn to milk a cow and the AES Solar Science tent will both entertain and educate you.”
Last week (AUGUST 13), volunteers attended a briefing meeting and there was a feeling of excitement as the day approaches.
Ainsley James, who has been co-ordinating the volunteers said:
“An event of this scale cannot run without the support of volunteers and there was never any doubt that the people of Forres would come out in force.
“We have volunteers from the age of eight, right through to 80.
“There are well over 200 people lending a hand whether that be in the run up to the event, on the day itself or for the clear up.”
Ainsley, who is a retired depute head teacher from Forres Academy added:
“A huge amount of work has gone into this event and there really will be something for everybody.
“It will be a great, fun day out.”
Tickets for the event can be purchased on the day or at www.grantpark100.com
