Bonnybridge Gala is back for 2022

The community event is set to return in full on Saturday for the first time in three years.

The last full gala took place in 2019 before the Covid pandemic put a stop to the 2020 event.

With government restrictions having eased, last year the committee organised a family fun day event in place of the full blown gala day.

But this year, the popular event - which was revived in 2017 following a 15 year break – is back and organisers hope the community will turn out to show their support for the day.

The parade leaves the town’s Anderson Park around 11am, making its way to Duncan Stewart Park – known locally as Jenny’s Park – where the crowning of the queen, Skye McMenemy, will take place at noon.

Following the coronation ceremony, there will be an afternoon of fun and entertainment for the whole family in the park.

Among the activities on offer, which promise something for all ages, there will be the funfair, a magician, a stilt walker, face painting, motorbikes and soft play.

There will be a chance to get up close to some alpacas, see the birds of prey with World of Wings and enjoy a pony ride.

There will also be stalls, hosted by local businesses, groups and organisations, showcasing their products, services and work.

Leigh Martin, from the committee, said preparations for the event were nearly complete and the whole team were looking forward to the gala’s return this year.

She added: “There’s a lot of hype among the kids.

"We’re looking forward to having the full gala this year as we’ve not been able to do that since 2019.

"We did have the fun day last year, but we’re going back to how the gala was in 2019 before Covid.

"The kids are so excited for it.

"It will be nice to see their wee faces on the day.”

Entertaining the crowds will be the Balaklava Pipe Band and dancers from local dance schools.

Also back this year will be the ‘welly wanging’ challenge.

Once again local councillor Billy Buchanan is putting up £1000 in prize money for anyone who can break the male or female world record for throwing a Wellington boot the farthest distance.

Neither record has been beaten since the gala’s revival five years ago.

The full retinue for 2022 is: Queen – Skye McMenemy; Herald – Ethan Newton; Courtier – Kian Millar; Maids of Honour – Karagh Geddes, Hayley Duncan; Ladies in Waiting – Ashleigh Jo Newton, Chloe Gibb, Evie Patterson, Leona Mcgrory; Flower Girls – Sophie Harrison, Saoirse Lomax, Amelia Wartley, Ruby Gibson, Lyla Kilpatrick, Jessica Hill; Page Boys – Blair Donald, Zachary O’Hara; Queen’s Guards – Cody Gentleman, Cole Henderson; Queen of the Fairies – Rebecca Kelly; Fairies – Mirryn Biddie, Halle Mackie, Elise Blackhall, Amelie Campbell, Kelsey Hornall, Fallon Lomax.

For more information about the event, search for Bonnybridge Gala on Facebook.