More than 2,000 people enjoy Kirkcudbright Country Fair

Kirkcudbright Country Fair organisers breathed a huge sigh of relief on Sunday as a crowd estimated at more than 2,000 enjoyed a fun-filled day of action and entertainment. The two-day show got off to slow start on Saturday as wet weather and a clash with other events nearby, including Douglas Day and the Scottish Rally at Dalbeattie, impacted attendance. Sunday, however, was a different story with pleasantly warm weather and a gentle breeze providing a welcome boost to ticket sales. John Blaikie, chairman of Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities which runs the country fair, was pleased to see a busy arena following lower than hoped for numbers the previous day and the 2023 washout. He said on the field: “Last year because of the weather the whole thing got cancelled. “Saturday was half of what we would normally have because Douglas Day and the Scottish Rally in Dalbeattie were on at the same time. “Of the two days that was going to be the worst and maybe people were watching the weather and saying we’ll go on Sunday. “We have got a good audience today and the field has filled up nicely. “I reckon a bit more than 2,000 have come in, which is great.” John added: “The guy with The Sheep Show is absolutely brilliant – he draws the crowds in and they listen and laugh at what he has to say, as well as it being very educational. He has got great patter and gets them all dancing. “This is not about making money – the £7 entrance covers everything so all the rides and amusements were free on the day.” Local groups manning a stall included Kirkcudbright Rotary Club, the Inner Wheel Club of Kirkcudbright, the Arts and Crafts Trail and Kirkcudbright RNLI. Rotary president John Locke said at their tent: “It’s been good today, people have been very generous supporting us. “We are fundraising for three good causes – improving a school in Guatemala, a sanitation project in Ghana and Kirkcudbright RNLI, who have a target of £50,000 to pump-prime a £1 million refurbishment of the lifeboat station. We are contributing to that.” Across at the Inner Wheel tent, the ladies were also enjoying a productive afternoon. Ruth McMorran said: “We have had a successful day today. Yesterday was wet and miserable but it’s fine today. “We’ll be having a cake stall in Kirkcudbright Parish Church during the Arts and Crafts Trail on August 3 and a pop-up shop in the cookery school for four days from August 19. Main arena entertainment at the country fair included a motorbike stunt show from Flyin’ Ryan, The Sheep Show and falconry displays from Ben Long Falconry.