Major summer festival with pop legends & carnival rides coming to Scots city in just weeks
The lineup for the event has also been revealed
'WE CAN'T WAIT' Major summer festival with pop legends & carnival rides coming to Scots city in just weeks
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AN EXCITING summer festival with carnival rides and pop legends is set to come to a Scottish city in weeks.
The Tall Ships festival will come to Aberdeen next month for the first time in 28 years, leaving music fans delighted.
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The Tall Ships Races will arrive in Aberdeen next month for the first time in 28 years
Credit: HANDOUT
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Carnival rides will be set up in the Granite City
Credit: AFP
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And music fans can enjoy performances from stars like Deacon Blue
Credit: Getty
The huge event will see a fleet of historic-style sailing ships arrive in the city for four days of exciting events.
It will be held in the Granite City from Saturday, July 19, until Tuesday, July 22.
Many of the vessels will be taking part in races and will be open to the public to view at certain times.
There will also be a host of legendary acts lined up to entertain crowds at the Quayside Concerts.
The open-air performances will be held at Peterson Seabase on the city's Regent Quay to a crowd of 7,000 people.
And we previously revealed that the opening night will be hosted by popular Scottish band Deacon Blue.
We can't wait to see 50 Tall Ships sailing into Aberdeen this summer. We've made sure there's something for everyone, especially families and children
Emma Wadee
They will be followed by the Ministry of Sound's 30-piece classical orchestra.
While rock icons Kaiser Chiefs have also been asked to back up the 50 boats as they sail into the Port of Aberdeen.
There will also be a free event on the Sunday where punters will get to enjoy tunes performed by Tide Lines and Calum Bowie.
And now, The Press and Journal has revealed a section of the city will be transformed into a carnival fun zone for the bonanza.
Here's how to do festival looks on a budget - and save the planet
The Castlegate and King Street areas will be at the heart of the action as rides and attractions are set up.
Around 400,000 punters and music fans are expected to descend on the city to lap up the entertainment.
A funfair will be in place on King Street, from the West North Street junction to Castle Street.
A Discovery learning zone will also be set up in the Castlegate area, which will include several rides and attractions such as the Fast and Furious.
This was a huge hit with families when it previously came to Broad Street's Christmas village.
Visitors will also be able to go for a ride on the Ferris Wheel and enjoy skyline views of the city.
This zone will be free to enter and will also feature a STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) hub.
Here, visitors will be able to explore native sea life touch pools, try their hand at boat-building challenges and enjoy Lego workshops.
'SOMETHING MAGICAL'
TICKETS for the festival first went on sale back in March after the lineup for the incredible event was announced.
Deacon Blue frontman Ricky Ross said: 'We last played the Tall Ships festival back in 2011 in Greenock and loved it.
"We're very happy to be asked back and really looking forward to another great night under the stars in Aberdeen later this year.'
Tide Line's lead singer Robert Robertson said: "We can't wait to play for the Tall Ships in Aberdeen on 20th July!
"We've had some brilliant gigs in Aberdeen over the years and loved playing for the Tall Ships up in Lerwick a couple of summers ago—so this has all the makings of a great night.
'It also falls just after the release of our new album, Glasgow Love Story, making it an especially exciting time for us!'
While Calum added: "So excited to be coming back home to play Tall Ships. Being from Banchory, it's an honour to have been asked to play my first ever festival in Aberdeen!
"Also super excited to be supporting Tide Lines, such a big inspiration. Should be a class day!"
Adrian Watson, the chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: 'It is a real coup to bring these top-flight acts here to provide an epic soundtrack for the Tall Ships in the Granite City.
"Can you imagine Deacon Blue leading 7,000 people in a rendition of Dignity, with all those beautiful vessels as a backdrop? That promises to be something magical.
'These four nights of outstanding concerts will mean Aberdeen is really set to hit the high notes during the Tall Ships visit – not least with the economic boost the 400,000 expected visits will bring the city.'
The Codona's carnival will be open across all four days from 9am to 11pm, however, it will close earlier on the final day at 3.20pm.
While the Discovery Zone will be open from 9am until 6pm on all days apart from the final day when it will close at 3.30pm.
The Tall Ships festival is being organised by Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Inspired and Port of Aberdeen.
Emma Wadee, Aberdeen City Council's Project Manager for the event, told the Press and Journal: 'We can't wait to see 50 Tall Ships sailing into Aberdeen this summer.
'We've made sure there's something for everyone, especially families and children.'
A spokesman from Codona's added: 'With a selection of kids, family, and thrill rides, there will be something for everyone.'
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Punters will get to enjoy tunes performed by Calum Bowie
Credit: Getty
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Kaiser Chiefs will also headline one of the days
Credit: Getty
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