Super Burns Supper Tomorrow in Dumfries

DUMFRIES: Super supper countdown

AN ARMY of volunteers is set to help Dumfries prepare for the world’s biggest Burns Night festival.

A total of 300 volunteers and more than 2500 community participants will be taking on duties from stewarding to performing and dressing up in costumes for the three-day 2014 Big Burns Supper.

Festival director Graham Main said: “It is the spirit of the Dumfries community that makes the festival what it is a showcase for everything that is good about the capital of Southern Scotland.

“This year the festival has 300 local volunteers doing everything from making sets and costumes to selling tickets and acting as stewards.

“They do an incredible job in working together to make sure that Big Burns Supper is a huge success.”

And a Homecoming Carnival is expected to have around 2500 local participants in a huge procession through the centre of the town.

Volunteers of all backgrounds and ages are currently involved in designing and making lanterns, puppets and costumes.

Around 30 local groups will participate in the carnival as artists, and over 100 volunteers are required in the street team to oversee this event alone.

Volunteering has been made more convenient and rewarding for 2014, with each participant given a festival pass to see shows.

And a new online training system has been introduced which volunteers can access from home at a time which suits them.

Roy Stairmand has volunteered with the festival since its beginning, and said: “Being a volunteer with Big Burns Supper is like having a supportive extended family. You get back as much as you put in every year and I’ve had so much fun working with people younger and older, from all walks of life, learning new skills.”

The Big Burns Night festival comprises three days of fun and entertainment in venues around Dumfries from January 24 to 26.

Taken from DNG24