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Thousands of people came out to welcome the Queen’s Baton to Perth and Kinross.
People came out in their thousands across Perth & Kinross, on Friday and Saturday to celebrate the Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton passing through Perth and Kinross.
Footfall for the whole day in Perth city centre has been estimated at 17,000 (about 4,000 up on the previous week), with a peak of 2,500 when the entertainment activities were underway. Around eight hundred people lined Tay Street on Friday evening to welcome the Baton into Perth, arriving by raft from the River Tay, carried by comedian Fred MacAuley. A further 800 people were in the city centre to see the baton travel up the High Street and onto the main stage at the North Inch.
Despite the wet conditions, 400 people participated in the ‘Have a Go Sports’ events on the North Inch during the afternoon; and approximately 3,000 people came along on Friday night to enjoy the free concert featuring up and coming girl band Stooshe, top tribute act Killer Queen, and multi-million selling artist, Gareth Gates.
Across the whole area it is estimated that over 20,000 people turned out to see the Baton, with huge community turnouts in areas such as Auchterarder (3,000 people), Blairgowrie, (2,500), and Pitlochry (2,500). Even the smaller ports of call were overwhelmed by interest in the Baton, with around 400 people turning out in both Methven and Muthill.
Provost Liz Grant said: “It was great to see so many people come out to watch the Queen’s Baton Relay passing through Perth and Kinross. A lot of effort went into making Friday and Saturday the great success it was, and I want to say a big thank you to everyone who helped make it happen, particularly community leaders. I would also like to thank everyone who took the time to come along and cheer as the baton passed through their local area; the two days wouldn’t have been nearly as special without everyone getting involved and creating such a great atmosphere and feeling of celebration.”
