This fantastic horse-drawn parade takes in the Fullarton and Harbourside areas of Irvine and focuses on community and tradition. The Carters’ run parade leaves Second Avenue at 11am and visits the 4th Port of Irvine. Full info below our timetable.
11:00
Parade Departs Second Avenue, Irvine
11:10
Rubie Crescent
11:25
Merryvale Road
11:40
McKinlay Crescent
11:55
Maress Roundabout
12:05
Montgomery Street
12:20
Water Sports Club - Short stop for judging of floats
12:35
Gottries Road
12:45
Montgomery Street
13:00
Cunninghame House Car Park
The first Saturday of the Marymass calendar kicks off in style as we start with our annual Fourth Port Parade from 11am on Saturday 17th August.
What is the Fourth Port?
Launched in 1998, this ‘Mini Marymass’ parade falls the week before our main event. It brings together the Fullarton and Harbourside communities, passing one of the four ports in Auld Irvine.
The creation of the Irvine ‘Rivergate’ Mall and removal of the Auld Brig in the 1970s meant that it wasn’t possible for the Marymass parade to make its way across the River Irvine as it once did. Instead, the Fourth Port Parade connects communities in our celebrations and allows Irvine Carters’ Society to keep the Harbour as a central part of their festivities.
The parade stops at the Carters’ statue opposite the HAC around 12:20pm. This is symbolic as a nod to the industrial past of Irvine Harbour and the hard work carried out by the Carters to transport goods to and from the ships to locations across the West of Scotland.
Where can I see the parade?
This parade is very similar to that of the main parade, featuring horses, mostly dressed up, carts, bands and many community & dance groups.
Key places to catch the parade include Second Av. At 11am, Sainsburys at 11:05am and Irvine Harbourside at 12:15pm.
The parade starts on Second Avenue (behind Sainsbury’s) at 11am and sets off around the loops of Rubie Crescent and Lamont Dr, Merryvale Rd and Scott Rd. It then heads through McKinlay Crescent and underneath Irvine Mall before heading to Irvine Harbourside.
The loop of the Harbourside begins at Montgomery St and heads up Harbour St before coming back down Gottries Rd and back out to the Portland Roundabout, where the parade will finish around 1pm.
Can I get involved in the parade?
We are looking for anyone with a horse to come down and get involved in our Fourth Port Parade! This is a great opportunity to get the chance to trial your horse in a parade environment before Marymass Saturday the following week. No need to ride your horse, you can walk them too!
Remember this is a non-motorised parade, so all participants must be on foot, horseback or horse-drawn vehicles.
We're on the lookout for kids and community groups to get involved in our Fancy Dress Competition in our Fourth Port Parade this year!
Dress as anything you want, then take part in our parade to be entered in our competition for a chance to win cash prizes.
To join the fun, come along to Second Avenue, Irvine for 10.45am on Saturday 16th August where kids of any age can take part in their costumes and join the Marymass Fourth Port Parade.
After the parade, the judging will be done at Irvine Watersports Club, where from 12pm there is also a range of activities such as a disco, face painting, food and more!
The prizes go up to £75 for first place, with prizes for others too, so get looking for that amazing costume and we look forward to seeing what you all come up with!
The competition and family fun day is sponsored by the Harbourside Hotel & Marina View Guest House.
You may also like the following events from Marymass Festival:
Also check out other
Kids events & activities in Irvine,
Contests in Irvine,
Parties in Irvine.
