With Hogmanay just a day away, organisers of one of the north-east’s biggest celebrations are urging revellers to give them their backing to keep the annual event going.
Stonehaven’s Open Air in the Square will be headlined by 80s pop icons The Human League, with award-winning folk group The Peatbog Faeries, X Factor contestant Emily Middlemass and Scots singer Carrie Mac also lined up to play.
But with tickets selling slower than expected, organisers are making a final plea for help to secure the future of the event.
The volunteers are urging people to snap up their tickets, and for a benefactor or sponsor to come forward to cover some of the final staging costs. Members of the committee and their families have already made their own donations to make sure the event goes ahead.
A spokesman said: “Last year with Simple Minds we sold out in record time but this year it has been a good bit slower. We are a wee bit disappointed tickets did not fly off the shelves quicker but there is still time to join the fun by buying tickets up until tomorrow night.
“We have been selling tickets all over the UK but for some unknown reason people in the immediate area have been holding off.
“Once again the small band of dedicated committee members have worked so very hard to bring this huge event together for the benefit of the town and it would be a real shame if we did not sell out and cover the massive costs in staging a bumper party like this.”
FirstBus will be running buses from Aberdeen to Stonehaven on Hogmanay, as well as from Forfar, Brechin, Laurencekirk, Montrose and Inverbervie.
For tickets, visit www.oaits.org or pop into Ma Simpson’s music shop on Evan Street, Stonehaven. They will also be on sale at Number 44 (the town’s Royal Hotel) today and tomorrow.