ALL eyes turned to New Cumnock on Saturday as the village’s gala day made a welcome return.

After a curtain-raising ‘target bowling’ event at New Cumnock Bowling Club on Friday evening, the gala day itself began with a procession from the fire station to the car park opposite New Cumnock Town Hall on Saturday morning, followed by the crowning of the gala’s king and queen.

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The afternoon’s fun included demonstrations on stage by two local dance groups as well as a burger stall from the New Cumnock Scout group, tea, coffee and cakes provided by the New Cumnock Parish Church events group, muffin boxes from New Cumnock Coffee, candy floss and more.

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

There were plenty of activities for gala-goers to enjoy throughout the course of the afternoon, including inflatables from West Coast Castles, pony rides provided by Knockshinnoch Equestrian, a ‘beat the goalie’ competition run by New Cumnock Community FC, table tennis and pitch and putt run by New Cumnock Golf Club, and a fascinating vehicle display courtesy of the crew at New Cumnock’s community fire station, the Cumnock Heritage Centre and Wullie Nairn.

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The gala day was preceded by New Cumnock Primary School's summer fete, with pupils and staff heading straight from the school to join in the gala day's festivities.

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

Adding to the spectacular success of the day, the glorious sunshine that beat down on the event ensured there were plenty of smiles on show – and plenty of appetite to make the event even bigger and better in 2025.

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The sun smiled on the New Cumnock Gala Day on Saturday, June 1. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

(Photos: Charlie Gilmour)