Organisers of the hugely popular Dundee WestFest are holding a major fundraising event in a bid to avoid the parking and toilet issues that hit last year’s spectacle.
Professional MasterChef champion Jamie Scott, from the Newport Restaurant, will headline WestFest’s Big Monday Night fundraiser which takes place on Monday April 25.
Huge crowds made their way to Magdalen Green last year for a day filled with music and entertainment, but queues at toilet facilities and a controversial parking clampdown spoiled the day for some.
The event will return on June 5 and in the region of 5,000 people are expected to attend.
That level of success brings its own issues, however, and so those behind WestFest are hoping the fundraising night will be the answer to their problems.
A successful night would give them the money to supply enough toilets for the crowds that attend, as well as cover other staffing and infrastructure costs.
WestFest chairman Ged Gourlay said: “We have always had a problem with queues for the toilets, which are one of our biggest expenses.
“We cannot go on with the way it was last year. It’s vital we raise the substantial sum this costs.”
Jamie Scott who has featured at past WestFest events is giving his cooking skills to provide food for the evening, with Clarks Bar and Kitchen on Lindsay Street the venue.
The Eden Mill distillery and brewery will provide a gin tasting, while music comes courtesy of Sinderins’ Stevie Anderson and Dave Webster and Boogalusa.
Ged added: “We are extremely grateful to all the people giving their time and skills to help us put this event on. We are rapidly running out of favours and the fact these people see the value in community events is a bit overwhelming.
“I would urge the people who enjoy WestFest to come to what will be a great night and one that will also mean more toilets and shorter queues.
“That has got to be a good thing.”
WestFest’s Big Monday Night takes place at Clarks Bar and Kitchen on April 25, starting at 7pm.
Tickets are available from www.eventbrite.co.uk.