A CENTURIES-OLD tradition will return to the streets of the Southside this weekend as the Govan Fair Committee prepares for their first full procession in two years.
With a huge programme of activities planned to mark the occasion, honorary chairperson Dorothy Courtney hopes that the 266th anniversary of the historic event will be bigger and better than ever.
She said: “We’re looking forward to a whole weekend of festivities.
“The fair has always been held on the first Friday in June which just so happens to coincide with the Queen’s Jubilee this weekend so we’re hoping that quite a few people will be taking part.
“On Wednesday there’s a football tournament up at the Sir Alex Ferguson Park near Braehead.
“On Friday we’ll have the procession, the crowning of the queen and a fairground set up at Elder Park.
“Then there’s an open day on Saturday and finally a wee 'Communi-T in the Park' event on Sunday which we’ve never done before.
“We’re just hoping the weather stays on side now.”
This year, Olivia McCulloch, a youngster from Ibrox Primary School, will be crowned as the fair's queen following a lively parade from Fairley Street to Arklet Road.
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Despite having seen a long line of local monarchs take the throne in her time as chairperson, Dorothy is particularly looking forward to this weekend's ceremony after a long two years of Covid restrictions.
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She said: “I’ve been on the committee for almost 33 years now and chairperson for around 31.
“It’s a real passion for me.
“I’ll probably cry on the night.
“It’s been two years since we’ve been able to hold the event fully because of Covid.
"This year feels like the first time that everything has been allowed to open back up properly.
“It's a great thing for the people of Govan.”
While the fair is held dear to members of the Govan community past and present, the committee are keen to extend the invite further afield to anyone who is looking to revel in a real Glasgow institution.
Dorothy said: “People from far and wide take part, not just Govanites.
“Everyone is welcome to join whether that’s with a float, a band or a dance group.
“It's a lovely feeling when we all get together.”
For more information on the Govan Fair click here.
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