Perth councillors have agreed to plough £55,000 into two of the biggest events in this year’s Winter Festival line-up.
The city’s Christmas lights extravaganza will benefit from £40,000 of common good funding, while the November 5 fireworks display will get £15,000.
The festival, which runs from Halloween to Chinese New Year, has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with the seasonal switch-on ceremony alone generating nearly £2 million for the local economy.
Members of the Common Good Fund committee were told next month’s bonfire and fireworks display could be the biggest yet.
The free event is organised each year by the Strathearn 200 Round Table group in partnership with the local authority and has raised tens of thousands of pound for local charities.
This year’s display is expected to attract 8,000 people to the South Inch area. Last year, about 600 hours of voluntary work went into building the bonfire, installing safety barriers and managing the event.
The committee was told the display has grown so big, roads will have to be closed off around the arena site. Perth and Kinross Council will also support extra stewards and contribute towards the sound system.
SNP councillor Eric Drysdale said: “Anything that discourages the private purchase of fireworks, and private displays, and encourages people into the city centre to a well-marshalled and well-organised event is to be fully supported.”
A fun fair, with live music and entertainment, will run from 6 to 10pm.
The total cost of the event is £24,884. The common good money will pay for £15,000 of pyrotechnics.
Nearly £80,000 has been budgeted for the Christmas Lights festival. Common Good money will pay for three entertainment stages – including the main one on Tay Street – as well as street entertainers and a Santa-led procession through the city centre.
It will also pay for health and safety aspects, including stewarding, toilets and medical cover.
This year’s star turn – following in the footsteps of Alesha Dixon, Slade, Billy Ocean and Peter Andre – has yet to be revealed.
Last year’s show attracted an estimated 80,000 people and generated a record-breaking economic boost of £1.75 million.
This year’s ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 17.
