INVERKIP is coming together for a special three-day programme of family friendly fun.
A packed schedule of events will kick off in Inverkip on June 9 as ‘Kip Fest’ returns for its second year.
The event is being organised by several prominent community groups, such as the Inverkip Community Hub, Inverkip Bowling Club and Inverkip Church, who have been helped by a four-figure award from Inverclyde Council’s Community Grants Fund.
The festival’s busy programme includes opportunities to try bowls and Zumba, face painting, arts and crafts, a bouncy castle, a tea dance and a ceilidh.
There will also be laser tag sessions in the community hub’s main hall, with the centre hosting its own version of soccer AM on the football pitches.
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Martin Mulholland, who is the hub’s development worker, told the Tele they were delighted to be playing a part in the popular event’s return.
He said: “It started off as part of the Meliora festival last year, they were doing events all over the area.
“We all got together and decided to hold a festival.
“We had leftover money from last year and we applied for funds from the Community Grants Fund, between that and various other wee donations meant we could hold it again.
“Most of the activities in the main hub will be free, we wanted to run it with a minimal cost for people.
“It was very well attended last year, the weather wasn’t great on one of the days, but we managed.
“People came from all over, not just Inverkip, but Wemyss Bay and the rest of Inverclyde too.
“Kevin [Inverkip Hub centre manager] and I couldn’t do it all ourselves, there are lots of individual organisations like the bowling club and the church in the community here who help out.
“It creates a big sense of community spirit and that’s why people enjoy it, having an experience people can enjoy for a whole weekend is great for the area.
“It’s a showcase of all the great things that our groups do in here all year round, they all get to celebrate what they do and show it off."
In addition to the events at the hub, Inverkip Bowling Club and Inverkip Church, there will also be a market held at the village’s Inverkip Hotel on the Sunday.
Jean Benson, of Inverkip Church, said that she and the other organisers were raring to go.
She said: “We’re looking forward to it.
“It’s got a real feel-good factor and it’s something for all ages.
“There’s a lot of kids things here, we’ve got the tea dance for older people and the ceilidh for those who are looking for a good old night out.
“It gives people an opportunity to get together that they might not normally have.
“It was free last year but we’re charging for some things to try and build up a fund if we’re going to do it again.”
Those who wish to see the full Kip Fest schedule should visit https://t.ly/Z6OT.
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