On the eve of the spectacular Largs Viking Festival this weekend, a Largs businessman has praised organisers for putting on a spectacular range of events - and says it is a big boost to the town every year.
Les Ward, who runs the discount shop in Tron Place, told the News that the committee should take a "pat on the back" for their efforts in putting together a strong line-up of events, from the dual Spitfire display to the Festival of Fire, and says it is a major part of the Largs and North Ayrshire calendar.
He said: "There is a real excitement and buzz in the town about the Viking Festival and people can't wait for it to get underway.
"People really look forward to it - and we get a lot of people coming into the shop asking when it is taking place.
"It is unique in the west coast of Scotland - there is nothing else anywhere like it; you have to go a way up to Up Helly Aa in Lerwick in the Shetlands for anything that is remotely similar.
"During the last few years the prom has been rammed with people when it has been taking place."
Local businesses have had a tricky summer due to the cost-of-living crisis, while July was considered a 'washout' - leading to strong anticipation for this year's Norse extravaganza, which attacted huge crowds in all weathers.
Les is a director of the Gillian's Saltire Appeal charity in Largs, which provides respite accomodation for people recovering from cancer in the Moorings building.
He continued: "Last year the promenade was rammed with people.
"For the Viking parade along the seafront to the fireworks display, we watched it from the balcony of the charity flat, and it was sensational and the people who were staying in the flat had a real treat."
Some changes are being made to this year's festival including a movement in location for the final weekend's Festival of Fire which will see the battle re-enactment at Barrfields Putting Green area, and the traditional burning of the longboat and fireworks display taking place in front of the esplanade.
Les said: "I think that is a good spot for it as it keeps all the people in the one area.
"I think over the years that the festival has matured - a lot of people are excited about it this year.
"It is a boost for Millport that some events, including Viking workshops, are taking place during the weekends at the Garrison, and the event has been extended to the Isle of Cumbrae."
The full festival programame can be seen at: Largs: Full schedule for Largs Viking Festival 2023 | Largs and Millport Weekly News (largsandmillportnews.com)
The festival has attracted more than 70,000 people to Largs in the space of the nine-day event in the past, and was one of the few festivals to keep running during the pandemic in 2021, albeit it had a virtual event in 2020.
The Guardian newspaper also listed The Viking Festival in its top 20 international festivals chart in an article in 2018.
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