Excitement is building with this year’s Comet Festival in Port Glasgow just over a week away.
The annual event is due to take place in Coronation Park on Saturday 20 June with a packed schedule of fun for all the family.
This year’s Gala King and Queen are Alexander Logan and Erin MacDonald, both P7 pupils from Newark Primary School.
The pair will lead the parade – which will make a stop at the new Comet replica for the official unveiling by Provost Drew McKenzie – before going through the town and stopping outside Port Glasgow library.
They will then officially open the festival alongside Provost McKenzie shortly after 12pm.
He said: “The Comet Festival is always a great day for Port Glasgow and I’m sure this year will be no different.
“It is a great addition to have the Comet replica in place for the festival and that will make the day even more special for the town.”
The main stage will feature a host of local dance troupes, live bands, a music request session hosted by Clyde Coast Radio and the debut of the Discover Inverclyde playlist featuring hit songs all linked to Inverclyde.
Entertainment tents will host creative writing workshops with authors from across Scotland, exhibitions featuring the history of the Comet, creative crafts, facepainting, a model shipwreck to excavate with Archaeology Scotland, messy play and much more.
Historic Scotland will offer free entry to Newark Castle on the day of the festival.
In Coronation Park, families can enjoy all the usual festival fun including a funfair, community stalls, tea tent and a selection of delicious food and drink.
Beacon Arts Centre will offer come-and-try circus skills and Nautical Youth Trust will also be running their popular boat trips on the River Clyde.
The Comet replica is due to be officially unveiled on the day of the festival
This year’s festival will incorporate the official unveiling of the new Comet replica which is currently being installed in Argyll’s Way.
The most recent Comet replica in the town centre was built in the 1960s but was dismantled in 2023 after it was deemed beyond repair by experts commissioned by the council.
A new model of Henry Bell’s famous Port-built paddle steamer has been built by Sheffield-based specialist manufacturer, Aivaf Ltd, on behalf of Inverclyde Council.
All are welcome to attend the official unveiling at 11.30am before joining the Comet Festival parade through the town.
The Comet Festival is on from 12pm till 6pm in Coronation Park, Port Glasgow and is free to attend.
A programme for the event is available to download via the link above.