15 more events to get council funding

FIFTEEN further events are to be added to the region’s calendar over the next year – with the council providing financial backing to make them a success. The local authority had already earmarked a total of £195,000 to the organisers of big name ‘signature’ events in 2026/27 because they attract many visitors to the region and generate millions for the local economy. Now, councillors are being asked to rubber stamp the investment of an additional £80,000 in grants: £56,500 split between nine organisations staging major events, and £23,500 shared by ten applicants putting together smaller, regional events. Officials are recommending that grant cash is allocated to: The Gralloch (Red-On Group), £15,000; Scottish Curling Championships 2026 (Dumfries Curling), £11,000; Jupiter + Dumfries (Jupiter Artland), £11,000; South of Scotland Outdoor Festival (Outsider Events), £10,000; and British Gravel Championships (Outsider Events), £9500. But, the South of Scotland Horse Trials, Drumlanrig Off Road Motorcycle Festival, Wild Goose Festival, and Traditional Music Festival look set to miss out because they never met the scoring criteria. However, there’s money in the Regional Events Fund for: Street Choir Festival 2026 in Dumfries, £2500; Fin and Foil Open Championships 2025 in Stranraer, £5000; Trophy D’Ecosse at Dumfries Ice Bowl, £2000; The Longest Day in Sanquhar, £2000; Wigtown Shindy, £2000; Castle Douglas Soapbox, £2000; Annan Summer Festival, £2000); Country Fair and UK Wife Carrying Championships, £2000; Glenkens Festival of Land in New Galloway, £2000; and the Traditional Music Festival in Newton Stewart, £2000. Councillors will review the recommendations next week.