Comet Festival Celebrates 250th Anniversary of Port Glasgow with Packed Programme of Events

Strategic Insights -

A two-day festival taking place in Coronation Park, Port Glasgow, has been announced to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Port Glasgow. The event, which will be held on June 21st and 22nd, promises a packed programme of family-friendly fun entertainment, including live music, street theatre, and activities for children. Provost Drew McKenzie will officially open the festival at 12.15pm on Saturday, followed by a line-up of live entertainment on the stage.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Comet Festival will take place in Coronation Park, Port Glasgow, on June 21st and 22nd to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Port Glasgow.
  • The festival programme includes live music, street theatre, and activities for children, such as face painting, badgemaking, and drop-in Dungeons and Dragon sessions.
  • The entertainment zone will offer a shipwreck model for kids to explore, a place to share memories of Port Glasgow, and a football tournament.
  • Newark Castle will be free to visitors all weekend thanks to Historic Environment Scotland, and there will be archive displays at Port Glasgow Library.
  • The Port Glasgow 10k will take place on Sunday, with football training and other activities planned for the day.
  • The Comet Festival is named after Europe's first commercial steamship, the Comet, which was built in Port Glasgow by John Wood & Sons between 1811 and 1812.
  • Plans are underway to commission a new Comet replica in Port Glasgow to acknowledge its importance to the town's heritage.

Statistics:

  • The festival will take place over two days, with live entertainment on the stage and a range of activities for children.
  • The entertainment zone will be open from 12noon till 5pm on Sunday, featuring arts and crafts, kids play sessions, and a writers' zone.
  • There will be a total of 24 events and activities during the festival, including live music, street theatre, and children's activities.
  • The festival will feature over 10 local groups and traders selling goods and services.
  • The event is expected to attract large crowds, with entry to the park free on both days.

Sources:

  • "Comet Festival Celebrates 250th Anniversary of Port Glasgow with Packed Programme of Events" (News release from Inverclyde Council and UK Government).
  • "Port Glasgow 250 Activities" (Discover Inverclyde website).