Thousands of people have descended on a park in a Moray town to celebrate 100 years since it was gifted to the town.
Grant Park 100 took place on Saturday, August 24 to mark the centenary of Sir Alexander Grant’s gift to the people of Forres.
One of the highlights of the event was when everyone who attended the event joined in a park-wide rendition of ‘Happy Birthday to Grant Park.’
Guests to the all-day event were also treated to free digestive biscuits, courtesy of Mcvitie’s, significant as Sir Alexander Grant was the inventor of the sweet treat and was a former managing director of the company.
The event which boasted six hours of non-stop entertainment included live music, storytelling, exhibitions and competition.
There were two arenas.
One offered a mini–Highland Games including haggis hurling and welly wanging, while the other arena showcased falconry, sheep shearing and gun dog displays, Soapbox Carty racing, the Forres & District Pipe Band and a car cavalcade from throughout the decades.
The public were encouraged to dress in the style of a decade within the 100 years with many rising to the challenge.
The event, was run by Forres Events Limited (FEL), the not-for-profit business behind Piping at Forres which was held in the town for six years.
Alan James, the chairman of FEL said:
“This has been the culmination of 10 months of hard work.
“It’s gone really well and folk have enjoyed themselves.
“We have also been very lucky with the weather.
“It’s been a great success for us.
“There have been so many fantastic activities which have run right throughout the day.
“What was important for the team organising the event was to make sure there were lots of free things to enjoy and we have managed to make that happen with the mini Highland Games, milk a cow, science tent run by AES Solar and many more, things to enjoy and experience.”
Mr James added:
“The most important message is that it is the volunteers who have made the day a success.
“It’s been a lot of work over a long time, with around 150 volunteers giving up their time.
“The event would not have gone ahead without their support.”
Grant Park 100 was also attended by Mark Laing, the great grandson of Sir Alexander Grant.
During the day he unveiled a carving of his great grandfather which had been commissioned by Forres Features.
Mr Laing said:
“This has been a wonderful day and it’s brilliant that Forres residents remember Sir Alexander.
“I think he would be very happy to know the place was being used just as he envisaged it.”
Competitions played a big part in the day’s proceedings.
The Soapbox Carty race which was sponsored by AJ Engineering was won by Australian couple Grace Byrne and Joel Downey who were visiting friends from their hometown of the Sunshine Coast near Brisbane.
Grace said:
“It’s been incredible, and the weather has really helped.
“It’s such a lovely community and we have had a great time.
“We heard that you could just take part, so we thought we would give it a go.”
Joel added:
“We have never taken part in a carty race before, but who knows maybe this is our calling.”
Other competitions were photography, vegetable animal, decorated cake, floral art and of course a digestive biscuit contest.
