Why Supporting Our Events Matters More Than Ever

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Ask anyone in town, and they’ll tell you the same thing: Bo’ness Fair Day is “The Best Day of the Year.”

It is a tradition steeped in history, a day where generations of families come together, streets are lined with stunning arches, and the smiles on our children’s faces make every ounce of effort worthwhile.However, behind the coronation, the bands, and the vibrant procession lies a reality that many in our community might not fully realise: it costs around £90,000 every single year to deliver Fair Day.

From hiring staging and booking procession bands, to providing essential health and safety logistics, such as road closures, legally required security personnel, first aid cover, and portable toilets. The expenses needed to run a safe and memorable festival are vast.

To ensure that Fair Day remains the day our children deserve, the volunteer committee relies entirely on community support and year-round fundraising.Every single ticket you buy for one of our fundraising events goes directly towards securing the future of the Fair.

Fantastic Events Throughout the Year

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To help raise these essential funds, our committee organises a variety of fun-filled events across the town all year round. Whether you’re looking for a lively night out, family-friendly fun, or seasonal celebrations, there is always something on the calendar for everyone:

  • From our popular Ladies Days and traditional Ceilidh to daytime discos and live music nights at local venues.
  • Family & Festive Fun:Magical seasonal events like Santa’s Festive Brunch and special movie screenings that bring smiles to everyones faces.
  • Community Fundraisers:Quizzes, fun runs and local appeals that bring our town together in a great community spirit.

Attending an event isn’t just a fun way to spend time with friends and family, it is a direct investment in keeping our town’s heritage alive. So head over to our online ticketing site to see what’s coming up and secure your tickets.

The Bo’ness Children’s Fair Festival belongs to all of us. By supporting our fundraising efforts throughout the year, you help ensure that future generations will continue to experience the magic of Bo’ness Fair Day.

Visit our event page

Bo’ness Fair 5K & 2K Fun Run Success

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Sunshine, Smiles, and Sparkling Shoes!

What a day it was! On Sunday 10th May, the Bo’ness ommunity came together in the glorious sunshine for the  return of the Bo’ness Fair 5K, alongside our brand-new 2K Fun Run for younger runners.

With over 100 runners crossing the finish line, an incredible atmosphere, and more than £860 raised for our Fair Day Funds, the event was an absolute triumph. Whether you were sprinting for a personal best, jogging with family, or shouting from the sidelines, you made it a day to remember.

Blinged-Up Laces and Podiatry Advice

A massive shout-out goes to our sponsor, Grant Podiatry, who were on hand at the event to champion foot health and cheer on our competitors.

Not only did they keep everyone putting their best foot forward, but they were also kept busy with their shoe bedazzle service. Runners of all ages lined up to have their laces blinged up in exchange for a small donation. Thanks to their creativity and your generosity, those sparkles translated directly into vital funds for the Fair Day.

Our Community Heroes

An event of this scale simply cannot happen without the backing of our local business community. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our sponsors who stepped up to make the day possible:

  • Grant Podiatry

  • Alan Steele Asset Management

  • FLXY Space

  • Frank McGarry Independent Celebrant

Running for the Fair

Every single penny raised from the registrations, donations, and bedazzling stations goes directly toward the Bo’ness Children’s Fair Festival funds.

Seeing the community out in such high numbers, and bathed in such beautiful May sunshine, reminds us just how special our town is. The addition of the 2K fun run brought a fantastic energy to the morning, and it was brilliant to see the next generation of runners sporting their Fair Day with pride.

Thank You, Bo’ness! Whether you ran, volunteered, sponsored, or spectated, thank you for making the return of the Fair Run such a resounding success.

Keep an eye on our social media pages for photo galleries of the day and updates on upcoming Fair Day events!

2026 Door-to-Door Appeal Launches!

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Every Penny Counts: The 2026 Door-to-Door Appeal Launches!

It’s that time of year again! This week, the Bo’ness Children’s Fair Festival Committee officially launches the 2026 Door-to-Door Appeal. Running from Sunday 19th to Sunday 26th April, a small army of dedicated volunteers will be hitting the streets of Bo’ness to deliver and collect donation envelopes from homes across Bo’ness.

Last year, the appeal raised an astounding £20,051. It was a phenomenal show of community spirit, and we cannot thank you enough. This year, however, we are hoping to dream even bigger and exceed that total.

Why Your Support Matters

We all feel the pinch of rising costs, and the Fair is no exception. To deliver the spectacular Fair Day that Bonessians expect and deserves, we need to raise roughly £90,000. Because the event is funded entirely through fundraising and donations, this appeal week is the lifeblood of the Fair.

To give you an idea of where the money goes, here are some of our “big ticket” essentials:

Requirement Estimated Cost
Logistics (Equipment hire, road closures, and toilets) £20,000
The Stage (Where the magic happens) £18,000
The Bands (The heartbeat of our procession) £12,000
Safety (Professional Security & First Aid) £7,000

How to Donate

Our volunteers work tirelessly to visit every home, but we know life is busy. If you happen to miss your collector on their return visit, you can still drop off your envelope at any of these fantastic local businesses:

  • The Corbie Inn

  • The Wee Wine Bar

  • Talking Heads Hairdresser

  • Baker Street Post Office

  • Spar

  • David’s Kitchen

  • Sweets n’ Things

  • Fiaz’s

And if you operate in a busy house where cash is rarely seen, you can also donate via our JustGiving page.

 

Preserving a Treasured Tradition

Every penny raised brings this beloved tradition to life for our children. As we prepare to crown Grange Primary School’s Queen Elect, Holly, we ask you to think of the smiles on the faces of the children taking part.

Whether it’s a few coins or a few pounds, every penny counts. Thank you for helping us keep the Fair Day spirit alive for another year!

Call for Volunteers

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Help Keep the Magic Alive: Volunteers Needed for Appeals Week!

The Bo’ness Children’s Fair Festival is more than just a day on the calendar—but as any local knows, the bands, the procession and the crowning ceremony don’t just happen by magic. It takes a massive community effort and, most importantly, the funds to make it all possible.

That is why Appeals Week is the most critical event in our fundraising calendar. This year, Appeals Week begins on Sunday, 19th April, and we are looking for a “fair” amount of help to make it a success!

What is Appeals Week?

Appeals Week is our biggest annual fundraising drive. It’s a simple but effective tradition: we aim to get a donation envelope to every single household in Bo’ness.

The funds raised go directly toward the costs of the Festival, ensuring that our children can continue to enjoy a spectacular Fair Day year after year. With rising costs, your contribution of time is more valuable now than ever.

How You Can Help

We are looking for local volunteers to help with two key tasks:

  1. The Drop: Delivering donation envelopes to houses in a designated area/street.

  2. The Collection: Returning a few days later to collect the envelopes and the generous donations from our neighbors.

No experience is necessary! If you can walk a few streets and offer a friendly smile, you’re perfectly qualified. Whether you can cover one street or a whole estate, every bit of help lightens the load for our small committee.

Why Volunteer?

  • Support the Fair: Be a direct part of keeping our 100+ year tradition alive.

  • Get Your Steps In: It’s a great way to get some fresh air and exercise.

  • Community Spirit: Meet your neighbors and represent the best of Bo’ness.

Ready to Sign Up?

If you can spare a few hours during the week of 19th April, we would love to hear from you.

To volunteer, please contact the Appeals Week Convener at fairdayappeals@gmail.com 

Let’s work together to make 2026 the best Fair yet. See you on the doors!