Gorbals Fair has fingers crossed for sunshine but is looking to get as many umbrellas as possible involved in the 2024 Big Gorbals Parade, which leaves Crossroads Barn on Abbotsford Place at 11am.

The theme for this year’s parade is climate resilience, which has been led on by Crossroads Youth and Community Association’s Creative Climate Futures project. It’s hoped that the collection of brollies can create a sea of colour representing resilience and hope in a world facing climate challenge.

Kenny McCubbin, leading the Creative Climate Futures Project, said: “Participating in this year’s Gorbals Fair will allow Creative Climate Futures to speak to local residents about the effects of climate change and what we are doing to help combat this.”

The parade will leave Laurieston and weave through the Gorbals, finishing at the Piazza in Crown Street, where Des Clarke will officially open the Fair at 12pm.

Gorbals Piazza will be home to the performance zone, featuring a line-up of community dance, music and theatre groups, including the Citizen’s Theatre Community Collective, Givin it Laldie and B Fabulous Dance Group.

Neil Packham and Elly Goodman of the Citizen’s Theatre look forward to sharing their performance: “The Gorbals Fair is an annual highlight in the Citizens Theatre Community Collective’s Calendar. This year the group have been working hard to create a visual and playful performance, using umbrellas beyond their everyday use.”

At Gorbals Rose Garden there’s a host of activities for children and families to take part in, from Giggle n Grow’s Move, Dance, to archery, arts and crafts, and a Sports Day session for all the family. Blackfriars Primary School hosts the fun zone, full of fairground rides and a football tournament open to all.

Michael Fullerton, community co-ordinator at New Gorbals Housing Association, said: “We look to continue building on the great success of the Fair since its return post-Covid 19. The community really gets behind the event and we’re hoping they can continue to show their support this year across the venues.

“We’d love to see as many people as possible joining in the parade this year, though I hope we don’t need to use our umbrellas for their usual purpose!”

For those in need of some chill-out time amongst all the festivities, Gorbals Parish Church will host therapeutic sessions from SEAL such as massage and shiatsu, as well as free tea and coffee.

A selection of food and drink will also be available on the day, including free fruit bags at Gorbals Parish Church, free hotdogs and nachos, plus ice cream van and snacks all available in the Piazza. The Rose Garden will also offer a free barbecue and sandwiches.

The event programme can be downloaded from the New Gorbals Housing Association website.