April 3rd, 2023

Dumfries and Galloway Council announces its biggest ever programme of festivals and events grants

Dumfries and Galloway Council has announced its biggest ever programme of festivals and events grants.

An incredible forty three projects are being supported by the Local Authority, who together will share more than £118,000 of funding from the regional Events Strategy.

Ten major events projects, including a World Cup Gravel Cycling Event in Gatehouse of Fleet, Stranraer Oyster Festival and the Dumfries based Wild Goose Festival are to receive funding, and are sure to attract thousands of visitors to Dumfries and Galloway in 2023.

The Council received a record number of applications to its Community Events Fund 2023/24, and is providing grant support to 33 smaller scale festivals and events, that are to take place from Moffat to the Mull of Galloway, Penpont to Portpatrick this year.

The Council is also in the process of preparing the UK’s first Greener Events Toolkit, to encourage festivals and events projects to be organised with fewer carbon impacts. The toolkit is intended to drive forward best practice in events planning in Dumfries and Galloway.

Councillor Archie Dryburgh, Chair of the Council’s Communities Committee said, “The Council has hit the ground running with the implementation and delivery of the new regional Events Strategy. We have a terrific partnership with the region’s events organisers, and the forty three grants we have signed off will be tremendous for community confidence and tourism in our region.”

Councillor John Campbell, the Vice-Chair of the Communities Committee said, “The Council is determined to make Dumfries and Galloway the best place in rural Scotland in which to plan, manage, deliver and visit great festivals and events. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis, we are doing everything we possibly can to support our local economy and aid community wellbeing.”

The ten projects to receive a grant from the Major Events and Festivals Fund 2023/24 are:

• UK National Vintage Tractor Run, 9 April
• Drumlanrig Offroad Motorsport Festival, 19-21 May
• The Gralloch, 20 May
• Knockengorroch Festival, 25-28 May
• Traditional Music Trust, 7-9 July
• Raiders Gravel, 31 Sugust – 3 September
• Music at the Multiverse, 3-4 September
• Stranraer Oyster Festival, 15-17 September
• Galloway Hills Rally, 16 September
• Wild Goose Festival, 20-30 October

Issued by: Communications Unit, Council Offices, English St, Dumfries.
For further information contact: Ian.barr@dumgal.gov.uk / 07734073401