Wednesday July 27th 2022
Article written by Margot Russell, secretary of Dalkeith Festival Committee
The Dalkeith Festival has been the only annual family fun event in the Town’s diary since 1962, previously called the Dalkeith Barbecue. The locals still refer to it as the Barbecue. There were other events before that but that is another history of Dalkeith…
It takes place on the first Saturday in August every year to avoid a clash with other local Gala Day and Fun Days in Midlothian.
The Slater’s Funfair has also been part of the activities from the beginning along with other attractions which all take place in King’s Park. Though this year we have Taylor’s Funfair.
The event is supported with funding from local businesses and a grant from Midlothian Council. The Council also provides the marquees, staging and the workforce on the day. The committee also raise funds with putting on shows. We also allow local groups and charities to have a stall and fund raise for their own good causes.
This year is the first festival since the pandemic, when the event was cancelled for 2 years, and the committee has been busy arranging a great programme of activities which include pony rides, face painting and local young talent preforming on the stage.
Normally there would be a parade with bands, youth groups and entertainers up the High Street from the King’s Gate at Dalkeith Country Park to King’s Park. Unfortunately this year the parade had to be cancelled due to a clash with a Music Festival in the Country Park, as we would have been sharing an entrance with it as the parade gathered in St Mary’s Church car park. There was also an issue with groups and bands not coming forward to participate in the parade, and it’s difficult to say why. So instead of having a poor parade and confusion with the other Festival, the Committee reluctantly decided not to host a parade this year and to concentrate on the Festival itself. Unfortunately since we made that decision we have learnt that the Music Festival cancelled their event but it was then too short notice to even try to gather a parade with the initial problems we had anyway.
The committee are committed to ensuring that a parade still remains an integrated part of the Dalkeith Festival for 2023.
Like most local galas and fund days we are a small group of committed individuals and we need others to join us. We welcome new people and new ideas which can enhance the event and make it bigger and better year on year. Contact us through our Dalkeith Festival Facebook Page
Despite the disappointment of the the usual parade, we still have a great programme for all the family to enjoy. Hope people come along to support their local event.
Main stage
Black Diamond FM
Bowling Green
All day bowling competition
Putting Green Area
Beer Tent 11.00 – 5.00
Band Reservoir Pandas 1.00 till 5.00
Central Area
Ponies 1.00 – 4.00
Face painting 1.00 – 4.00
Inflatables 1.00 – 5.00
Taylor’s Funfair
Various rides and stalls
Bowling Green Pavilion
Fire Extinguishers First Aid and Toilets Emergency Telephone
Refreshments
Hot Food & Ice cream
Other
Charity Stalls
Main Programme
1.00 – 1.05 Official Welcome and Opening
1.05 – 1.20 Midlothian Clarinet Club ( Main Stage)
1.30 – 2.00 Fancy Footworks (Main Stage)
2.00 – 2.30 Highland Dancing Wren Dance Studio (Main Stage)
2.30 – 3.00 Southside School of Dancing (Main Stage)
3.00 3.30 Glencorse Pipe Band
