Dundee’s WestFest summer festival committee has revealed ambitious plans to become the city’s biggest community festival.
Last year’s inaugural Westfest, which included open-air concerts at Balgay Park and Magdalen Green, was mainly restricted to the “traditional west end” of the city. Now, though, organisers want “anybody west of Broughty Ferry” to feel included in the festival, which is to be held from June 13, culminating in a large community gathering on Magdalen Green on Sunday, June 19.
New chairwoman Paola McClure and her husband Alan Richardson are keen to attract people from across the city to the event.
“This is for the whole of the city it’s Dundee wide, not just those who live near Perth Road,” Alan said. “And, of course, it’s only a joke about it being for west of Broughty Ferry people from the Ferry would be very welcome to join in the fun.
“We want to extend the event at Magdalen Green and we had a really positive meeting with the council this week over some of the changes we want to make.”
Paola added, “We need more volunteers to help out, though, as it will be quite a big event on the Sunday.”
Included among the plans are a secret world record attempt, details of which will be released at the event’s official launch in a few weeks’ time.
Other plans include a giant outdoor art “exhibition” involving an iconic Dundee image on the football pitch area on Riverside that will be best seen from the air, a food, drink and farmers’ market, vintage car show, community groups area and a commercial, retail and sponsors’ area.
A special Courier Rocktalk stage will host some of Dundee’s best up-and-coming and homegrown talent.
Dundee-born actor Brian Cox is the festival’s patron and was at the event last year. It is hoped he will be able to attend once again.Stay up to date on plans at www.dundeewestfest.com