The Granite City was transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour at the weekend as a celebratory event took over Aberdeen.
Supporters lined the street on Saturday (August 22) as festivities kicked off with the Celebrate Aberdeen Union Street Mile for youngsters and competing adults, before more than 100 charities, social enterprises and volunteering organisations united in a colourful procession along Union Street to the Castlegate.
Organisers have hailed Celebrate Aberdeen, which is now in its fifth year, as a tremendous success as the sun shone down on the city centre.
Morven Mackenzie, director of Aberdeen based integrated communications agency Citrus:Mix, the leading force behind Celebrate Aberdeen, said she was delighted with the public’s response to the weekend.
She said: “There is so much to be proud of in Aberdeen, from our charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations and the people that keep them going – to the talented local performers and groups. It has been fantastic to see the way that Celebrate Aberdeen has grown over the past few years and the weekend was such fun.
“The colour, noise and happiness of the parade really was great and we would like to thank all the supporters who came along to cheer on those who took part. We were delighted to provide a platform to highlight all of these organisations and the hard work they do in the city centre on a daily basis. It was lovely to see people of all ages enjoying the performances and activities that were on throughout the weekend, which really brought such a sense of community to Aberdeen.”
Performers during the weekend included award winning traditional folk singer Iona Fyfe, local sensation Best Girl Athlete, acclaimed musician Colin Clyne and Scottish rockers Uniform.
They were joined by local favourites The Lorelei, entertainer Samyouel, the Aberdeen Chorus of Sweet Adelines, Aberdeen Rock Choir, Acoustified and the Wrestlezone team among others.
Celebrate Aberdeen burst into life in 2011, with the aim of celebrating and supporting the third sector in the Granite City. The colourful event was a huge success bringing together more than 3,500 people from 130 different third sector organisations, to highlight the hard work they carry out.
The 2012 and 2013 parades were hugely popular, with numbers building each year. The organisers decided to alter the format of Celebrate Aberdeen in 2014 to build on the success of the parade, but with the same ultimate aim; to unite people in a positive manner to celebrate the great people of Aberdeen.
A host of performers and community groups took to stages at various venues throughout the city centre to entertain attendees for the Celebrate Aberdeen gathering, which was enjoyed by both locals and visitors to the city.
The parade was brought back this year and marked the start of an entertaining weekend packed full of fun, performers and above all, celebration.