Fresh Ayr, the brand-new folk festival taking place in Ayr’s Rozelle Park between 11 – 13 August 2023, has announced that Ayrshire Hospice will be the official charity partner for the inaugural event.

The hospice’s friendly volunteers will be on site across the weekend to assist Fresh Ayr visitors and will be running a festival face painting stall, where people of all ages can get glammed up and festival-ready in exchange for a donation. They’ll also have a stall on site and festival-goers can pop any spare pennies into the purple buckets which will be dotted across the event.

3 people sitting on a bench in a park with 3 people standing behind them, one holding a violin and one holding a guitar

The partnership will assist Ayrshire Hospice in raising awareness and funds for the invaluable work they do in the local community, providing specialist palliative care and services to people affected by life-limiting illness across Ayrshire and Arran, and supporting family members, close friends and carers of those in their care. The funds raised at Fresh Ayr will go towards the construction of a new hospice facility in its grounds near the festival site at Racecourse Road.

6 people in a park, with one holding a violin and one holding a guitar

Capital Campaign Director at Ayrshire Hospice, Hazel McIlwraith said: “We are delighted to be Fresh Ayr Folk Fest’s chosen charity for the inaugural festival at Rozelle Park this summer. Music truly has the power to uplift and unite individuals – and with more than 25 world-class acts performing, it’s going to be an unforgettable weekend.

“Work on the hospice site has started which is hugely exciting and we’re really looking forward to watching its progress over the coming months with the aim of returning in summer 2024.

“Support from organisations like Fresh Ayr Folk Fest are vital to the continued success of this project. We are massively appreciative of Blair and his team giving the Hospice this opportunity.”

Blair Parham, Director of Fresh Ayr Folk Fest, said: “We couldn’t be happier that Ayrshire Hospice is our charity partner for the first ever Fresh Ayr. The hospice plays such an important role in the local community and has touched so many people across the region, helping families through the toughest of times and providing much-needed support. We’re honoured to be able to support their fundraising in this way, and to help them continue the invaluable work they do in Ayrshire.

6 people standing in a park, with one holding a violin and one holding a guitar

“Community is at the very heart of Fresh Ayr, so it only seemed right that we partner with a charity who does so much for people who need it most in the local area. We’re so pleased to be able to support them as they embark on their incredible new construction project, which will allow them to help even more families in the future.”

Girl playing violin and guy playing guitar on stage

Among those on the stellar line-up are local fiddle duo Binky Blue, made up of brother and sister Jared and Rianna Muir. They combine electronic, pop, folk and traditional music while experimenting with different sounds and textures, generating an exciting and energetic sound.

Jared Muir said: “We’re so excited to be performing at Fresh Ayr this year. It’s going to be incredible to have so much great live music on our doorstep here in Ayr, something which has always been missing. I think it’s a great thing for the community, and the fact the festival is teaming up with such an amazing local charity is just fantastic.”

Fresh Ayr is shaping up to be an incredible three days, with more than 25 artists featuring on the lineup of world-class entertainment, as well as family-friendly activities, delicious food and drink, and excellent camping facilities. The festival, which is supported by South Ayrshire Council, will also offer music workshops during the day, and the party will carry on into the night, with a fantastic ceilidh band keeping dancers on their feet long after the sun goes down.