Nithraid 2018 once again hits Dumfries, It’s a community led riverside fest and boat race celebrating the historic legacy of the river Nith in creating the town through trad, goods and sail power and its current myth/art-making and identity-focusing role for Doonhamers, now in its 6th instalment.
My favourite local artist group Maddjakallss were commissioned to run the Nithraid procession this year. They succeeded in creating a majestic marching show, somewhat perplexing in its meaning but fantastically dramatic ritual moving through the town centre via Devorgilla Bridge to Mill Green, accompanied by the beat of African drums.
The Salty Coo figure was carried by the volunteers from the international Amaze Me Leader project – never before Nithraid was so multi-national!
There were lots of creative workshops for kids – stone carving, zine and mosaic making, upcycling and Chinese lantern making. Local community groups had an opportunity top air their new projects and found recruits. Families could watch the races from Solway Firth up the river – one for sailing boats, the other for coastal rowing boats. Each boat delivered a symbolic cargo at the finishing line – the Salty Coo platform. Mark Zygadlo and a member of Alnmouth team won the respective races and the right to dunk the Coo into the Nith waters.
Live acoustic music sets performed by local musicians in Nithraid marquee. Several food stalls and drinks were provided so people did not have to move away from site for their meals. I was particularly impressed with Northern Wilds Wood-Fired Pizzas team who invited me to take a look at their ovens and pizza-making process!
In the afternoon Nithraid visitors walk across to Dock Park to listen to the specially commissioned sonic artwork for to mark the long-awaited Rosefield Mill revival. The music (and the disco floor) was provided by the popular Double Down Disco crew – and there was lots of dancing for kids and grownups alike led by Maddjakallss! Lavender smoke floated from the derelict Mill building and over the Nith waters to draw attention to Dumfries Victorian-era landmark.
Like last year, the festivities programme continued into the night with an outdoor cinema, campfire with tales from Mostly Ghostly, more food, electrifying DJ sets and dance-worthy live music provided by SoundSystems.
All in all, this year’s Nithraid had all the makings of the local town festival turning into a regional tourist attraction, as provided activities engaged all ages of fest goers and lasted from late morning through the afternoon into nighttime.
Nithraid 2018 Majik procession created by the local artist group Maddjakallss sets outs to march
Costumes and magic shapes to accompany the Salty Coo statue
Salty Coo carried by the participants of the international Amaze Me Leader project
African drums band setting the Nithraid 2018 procession beat
The Stove Network artists joining the river fest parade
Mystic performance by Maddjakallss with lavender smoke on Devorgilla Bridge
Blou Rain wearing a white jackal mask for Nithraid 2018
Kids and grown Doonhamers join Nithraid parade as it travels through the town
Maddjakallss at Nithraid Village
Maddjakallss’ ritual on Mill Bank in Dumfries
Nithraid visitors chilling on the banks of the river Nith
Lantern making workshop
Dogs have a fun day out!
A wide demographic of the river fest goers attracted
Recycling shopping bags into fun objects
Example of shopping bag artistic recycling
Mosaic making at Nithraid Village
Nithraid boat race progress model
Moving boat models to mark their progress to the Caul
Local community organisations sofa area
A guy in a pirate costume – making an admirable effort to dress up!
Salty Coo hoisted high on its floating platform
A circle of flags in Nithraid Village to celebrate Amaze Me Leader project participants
Having an afternoon nap near the river
Boats from the race approaching the finishing line
Sailing boat race entrant passing Nithraid Village
Delivering token goods at the end of the Nithraid race
Salty Coo river dunking
Family watching Salty Coo ritual celebrating salt as cows once transported to Dumfries on the river
Salty Coo floating in the river Nith
Sky reflection – playing with my glass acrylic glass gizmo
All boats have arrived on the Nithraid race model
The race score board
Mark Zygadlo, the winner of the sailing boat race, receives his award
Members of Alnmouth team, the winners of the coastal rowing race, celebrate
Card magician at Nithrad Village
Stone carving
Girls showing off the result of their stone carving work
At the zine making tent
Kids engage with Maddjakallss magic shapes in the “sacred zone”
Boy building with magic shapes
Making a pizza by Northern Wilds Wood-Fired Pizzas
Pizzas in the stove at Nithraid
The final product
Nithraid crowd moves to Dock Park for Double Down Disco
Double Down Disco crew
More Nithraid fun in Dock Park
Dancing to Double Down Disco
Boy near Rosefiled Mill board, celebrating the much loved landmark planned revival
Maddjakallss drawing attention to Rosefield Mill smoke display
Doonhamers watch the smoke floating over their beloved Rosefield Mill building
Katie, local artist and member of the Stove Network
New dance moves of the disco floor
Ivor in her black jackal costume in Dock Park
Mark and Denise join the Double Down Disco fun
Nithraid Village nighttime
SoundSystems musicians by the river
Of course, there were dog in attendance!
DJ in the Nithraid marquee
SoundSystems playing
Reel to Reel screening for Nithraid Nighttime
Nithraid 2018 at dusk
