For the first time in many years, in fact since the old "Children's Day", the Crowning of the Summer Queen will be combined with the Parade and will take place on Saturday 17 th June at 1pm in the Links Car Park. Each year, the Parade seems to get smaller and it is a source of real concern. We need to do something to reverse the trend! At a Public Meeting it was suggested that the two events be combined to produce a bigger and hopefully better single event. We have been working very hard to bring this about. Diane Smith, who is in charge of the Summer Queen ceremony, has secured generous sponsorship from Magnus Morton and this year's Queen, Rebecca Psyl, and her entourage will have stunning new dresses. The Civic Week Committee also plan to bring in additional attractions for the Parade - the theme this year is "Winter Wonderland". Children will be able to meet deer from the Scottish Deer Centre and rumour has it that Father Christmas has a soft spot for Burntisland when it comes to choosing holidays. Knowing our luck, it might even snow! Ultimately however there is only so much we can do. Quite simply what the Parade needs most is groups and individuals from the community to come along and take part. If we have not seen you for a few years, please consider participating this year and help us to restore the event to its former glory! It is not even necessary to organise a lorry - walking groups will swell the Parade and increase its impact.
The theme lends itself to lots of interpretations - Christmas of course with all its associations - carol singers, presents, parties, shopping, decorations, Santa and Nativity plays - Hogmanay and other Winter festivals, people and animals from cold countries, characters from books and films and traditional pantomimes plus all the many winter sports and activities. After the Parade there will be a disco for all those taking part in the Young Community Hall. We firmly believe that events such as this are so important for the town not only to nurture community spirit but also to present the town in a positive and attractive way to visitors.
We had such a tremendous response to the Marquee on the Links last year that we had no option but to repeat it and thanks to a lot of hard work securing grants and sponsorship it will re-appear on Thursday 22 nd to host a variety of events. These will include a "Body, Mind & Spirit Fair" with lots of therapies and beauty treats on offer, as well as clairvoyant readings, stalls and an afternoon of Musical Memories with Andy Linton (dancing not obligatory but highly recommended) and we will be providing tea and scones as a pick me up. The focus is on young people on Saturday afternoon when young bands will be performing and the Civic Week Dance with Joe's Band and Des and the Dingos will begin at 8pm (please get your tickets early - we sold out last year and it was a brilliant night!). On Sunday 25 th , beginning at 12.30, "Crafty Fifers" Local Produce and Craft Fair will showcase the best products the local and Fife community have to offer. We also have a full programme of family entertainment - falconry flying display, Kirkcaldy Museum and Arts Coach, Music from Burntisland Pipe Band and Drumatit Drumming Group, "Tasty Morsels" storytelling with Heather Henderson from the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Children's entertainer Brian Jamieson and a tribal drumming workshop with Jammin'.
Throughout the week other established events will take place - 5-a-side Football, Shop Window competition, Pub events, Sailing Club Race, BASC Civic Week Swimming Sprints, fun at the Beacon, Sandcastle competition. The Parish Church will be holding an open-air service on the Links on Sunday 18 th June and two outstanding exhibitions at the Heritage Centre and Museum of Communications will also be officially opened. We hope there is something for everyone in the programme and that it will appeal not only to locals but also to visitors to the town. In the year 2000, when we inherited the organisation of Civic Week from Fife Council, it consisted of the Parade, the football competition and a few pub competitions - we feel we have made significant progress!! We do need your support however.,Please support our efforts and demonstrate that there is still community spirit in Burntisland.
Finally we would like to acknowledge the continued financial support of our sponsors without whom we would be unable to sustain the programme. This year so far we have received donations from Burntisland Development Trust, Fife Council, Fife Tourist Board, Burntisland and Kinghorn Rotary Club, Briggs Marine and Hurd Rolland Partnership. Chisholm Laing will also be supporting us by designing the official programme.
If any local business would like to lend their support, and have a mention in the official programme, please contact Carol (872164) or Mandy (412640). Please call these numbers if you require any further information.