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Popular Elgin Ice Festival to go on longer than planned

Jon Behari
Jon Behari

A popular winter spectacle, which captured the imagination of Moray residents, has been granted permission to continue for longer than originally planned.

The Elgin Ice Festival was scheduled to end tomorrow, with a closing ceremony bringing down the curtain on the three-week event.

But, in response to overwhelming demand, organisers have been granted permission from Moray Council to welcome skaters onto the ice rink on Sunday.

Event director, Jon Behari, said: “We have the site until Monday, but had planned on Saturday being our last day and using Sunday to clear things up.

“But we have been so pleased with the turnout we asked Moray Council about remaining open on Sunday too, and we were told that would be fine.

“The weekends are especially popular, so this will give people one last chance to have a skate.

“Or, for those who have been away, this could be their only chance to give it a go.”

Mr Behari added that a showcase on Saturday evening – which had originally been planned as the closing ceremony – would still go ahead at 7.30pm, as a celebration of the rink’s three weeks in the town.

Vicky Stewart, 15, joined the Caledonian Ice Skating club six months ago, and has been refining her skills on the rink while helping to run the event as a volunteer.

The Elgin High School pupil said: “I’ve been on the rink nearly every day since Christmas Eve, and I’ve got much better at spins and jumps.

“There is more pressure with people watching, as you don’t want to fall over, and that helps me focus. I’m sure I will do better in competitions after this.”

Elgin City North councillor, Patsy Gowans, helped convince the local authority to contribute £8,000 towards the outdoors extravaganza.

Last night, she welcomed the announcement it would run for longer than expected.

Mrs Gowans said: “My thinking was that the rink could create a buzz on the Plainstones, bringing families into the centre and aiding our retail economy.

“It’s good to see more activity in Elgin in the evening.”

Nearby businesses have attributed increased takings to the town centre attraction.

And Mr Behari is already orchestrating plans for a “bigger and better” Elgin Ice Festival next Christmas.