COUPAR Angus Citizen of the Year Florence Smeaton will officially open the 20th annual Coupar Angus Gala Day this Sunday (June 24).
The gala, a firm fixture in the Coupar Angus calendar of events, will take place on the Common on Forfar Road from 1pm until 4pm and will feature a range of attractions, including the return of the hugely popular flyball dog displays.
The Blairgowrie and Rattray Drum Corps will also be performing throughout the afternoon, and there will be Scottish country dancing displays as well.
Other attractions on the day will include a bouncy castle, a stilt walker, a children’s fun fair, children’s races and fancy dress competition, face painting and the usual tombola, cake and candy, and ice cream stalls.
Eric Rennie will be there with his owls and Avril Bright will be there with guinea pigs and hamsters as well as more unusual small animals - the pygmy hedgehogs are sure to be a great hit.
Tayside Fire and Rescue will be at the gala, as will the heritage association tent.
Another popular aspect of the gala is the car boot sale, which has seen up to 50 cars in some years and offers a great opportunity for snapping up a bargain or perhaps even unearthing some treasures.
There will also be a barbeque and Jim Lang will be running the beer tent. Joe Richards is to reprise his role as compere for the afternoon.
Committee member Jenny Ross said: “Weather permitting we normally get a good crowd, anything up to 1000 people.
“We are looking forward to it, it is a lot of work but we work well together as a committee and most of us have been involved since the first Gala in 1993.
“We would like to thank everyone who supports the event and in particular Betty Ramsay for the face painting, Mel for all her support, and the Robbie family who are a great help on the day setting up the gazebos, tables and chairs and the games for the children. We couldn’t do it without them.”
Entry to the gala is free and any money raised at the event will be shared amongst local groups and charities such as the Guides, the Brownies, the Cubs, the Beavers, the school (which donates all the equipment for the children’s races), the heritage association and the Thursday Friends.
Extra helpers on the day are always appreciated by the committee. If anyone would like to volunteer, please just speak to Mary or Jenny on the morning of the gala; they will at the Common setting up from about 9am.
To book a place at the car boot sale or for any further information regarding helping or donations, please contact Mary on 07999 766858, Jenny on 01828 628537, Les on 01828 627766 or Elaine on 01828 627040.
