New Year celebrations in a north-east town were given a funding boost this week as councillors backed the return of Gig at the Brig.
The event, now in it’s second year, brings together Scottish acts for a midnight bash of music and fireworks to welcome a new year.
Last year Pitmedden-born The Voice USA finalist Terry McDermott headlined the show to the delight of thousands of party goers.
Now – despite sustainability concerns – Aberdeenshire councillors have backed the event’s second incarnation to the tune of £4,000.
Last night organiser Wayne Baber said: “We fully appreciate the councillors positions and we’re delighted they chose to fund us the full amount.
“We were given £2,500 earlier this year from the Homecoming fund which is specifically for events that bring people to Scotland in 2014.
“We had 20 or 30 people from abroad – from the US, Canada and Vietnam – who had never even heard of Ellon before. That was down to Terry McDermott, who’s big in the US.”
Mr Baber added that he and his team were working hard to sustain the ‘family-friendly’ event.
At Tuesday’s Formatine Area Committee, chairman and SNP councillor for the river-side town Rob Merson said: “I would just like to say that this was a very successful event. Maybe not in financial terms, but it’s a learning curve.
“The event was absolutely first class. I was there with friends and I would like to see this event sustained in the future.
“The feedback I’ve had has been very encouraging.”
Fellow committee member councillor Richard Thomson said: “It was a fantastic event for Ellon.
“When there are wider spin offs for Aberdeenshire from a well marketed, well run event in Ellon I think it deserves another chance.”
The committee did raise questions about the sustainability of an event like Gig at the Brig, given the project made a loss last year, but Mr Baber said a number of big sponsors had come forward.
He added that he would not be approaching the committee for a grant next year.
Local performer Chloe Milne and band Glass Monkey have been announced as the support acts at Ellon’s Gig at the Brig 2014 sponsored by J M Taylor.
The acts will support Silver City Soul Revue as well as the event headliners – Dumfries pipe rockers The Dangleberries.