Nithraid is set to take place next Saturday, September 9, made possible by one of the highest tides of the year.
And project manager Sal Cuddihy said: “It’s an exciting year for Nithraid with some great new additions to the festival; our friends the Vikings are coming to liven up the banks of the Mill Green with re-enactments and combat displays.
Sal added: “For the first time, we will be continuing the festivities into the evening with some live entertainment in a relaxed atmosphere.
“It’s an exciting project to be a part of, and we hope plenty of people come along to get involved and cheer on the sailors.”
Nithraid is a celebration of the town’s long relationship with its river, highlighting the way the Nith connected Dumfries to the rest of the world through trade, goods and sailpower.
It is created and produced by The Stove Network as part of a drive to make creative opportunities for local people, with sponsorship courtesy of The People’s Project.
Visitors are invited to attend the Salty Coo procession leaving Fountain Square on Dumfries High Street, arriving at the Mill Green at approximately 12.30 pm where an ‘arts and food village’ will run from 12 noon until 5 pm as people await the arrival of boats sailing up River Nith.
And with a Viking theme this year, the Longfada Viking Group will be staging a re-enactment including combat display at 1 pm.
Wordsmithcrafts, another Viking themed group, will be working with other local groups from the area, and encouraging ‘have a go’ activities for all the family.
Throughout the day there will also be art activities and demonstrations for all ages, acoustic music, food provided by Craig Paterson of Catering Plus, and the dunking of the legendary Salty Coo at 4.45 pm.
Then, at 7 pm, members of the public are invited back to the Mill Green for ‘Nithraid Night Time’ — taking the form of live music and spoken word performances, visuals, storytelling, food and campfires.
