In 2024, the Wild Goose Festival (WGF) returned for its fifth year of activity celebrating nature, creativity and place across Dumfries & Galloway. Running from the 18th – 27th of October, our feathery festival had a programme of over 70 events from Stranraer across to Annan.
The Stove Network produces WGF, uniting key partners from across Dumfries & Galloway. WGF formed part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2024 and was supported by TRACS – Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Annandale & Nithsdale Community Benefit Company, administered by Foundation Scotland and Dumfries & Galloway Museums & Heritage Network.
As we celebrate the geese ahead of their departure in April, let’s have a gander at what was occurring at our 2024 festival.
Our Biggest Festival Yet
Our Wild Goose programme arrived early autumn, packed full of events for all ages to enjoy. Building on the success of our previous four festivals, we were able to host our biggest selection of events so far across Dumfries & Galloway.
This year wasn’t just bigger; thanks to the support and involvement of our partner organisations, our 2024 festival featured a diverse array of events, from immersive workshops to captivating performances, all with the celebration of D&G’s unique ecology at their core. WGF continues to champion our region’s cultural and natural heritage.
A New and Improved Wild Goose Festival Hub
The Wild Goose Festival Hub has become an essential element of our festival, and in 2024 we were back in the Loreburne Centre in Dumfries for more fun, educational workshops for all ages.
This year, 902 people visited the Hub in our new, larger space filled with interactive exhibitions, fascinating goose facts, and hands-on creative workshops. The Hub programme of events included workshops with local artists, environmental educators, storytellers and musicians. Our hub space welcomed Clydebuilt Theatre Company for puppet shows, Allison Galbraith for storytelling sessions, Paragon for movement and music workshops and local artists Korey Patterson and Emily Tough. Our Hub was a place where stories came to life, where art bloomed, and where the natural world was explored with wonder.
Launching Hear | Here – Amplifying Voices Unheard
On the 18th of October at the Stove Cafe, The Stove launched our new project ‘Hear | Here’. This three-year initiative aims to combine public art, print media, and immersive experiences to celebrate the heritage, identity, and culture of underrepresented communities in Dumfries. In its first year, Hear | Here is focusing on the Travelling Showpeople, and we were fortunate to be joined by Co-Chairs of Fair Scotland Dr. Mitch Miller and Dr. t s Beall.
Hear | Here is delivered in collaboration with Fair Scotland, a charity founded by Scottish Showpeople, artists, and researchers. To learn more about the project click here.
Celebrating our Unique Environment
The 2024 WGF became a vibrant celebration of South-West Scotland’s natural environment by weaving together art, culture, and nature. The programme of events drew attention to the region’s unique connection with migratory geese and the broader ecosystem. It fostered a deeper appreciation for the area’s landscapes and wildlife, encouraging both locals and visitors to reconnect with and cherish the natural beauty of their surroundings.
A Brand New Visual Identity for 2024
You may have noticed that WFG underwent a makeover ahead of our fifth festival. As the festival grows and evolves, so does our visual identity with an updated logo and brand colours.
Our Wild Goose Festival brand identity has been created by Dumfries & Galloway based graphic designer Jamie Stryker.
Looking Forward to 2025
The sixth annual Wild Goose Festival will return in October 2025. In the meantime, we will celebrate the geese returning to their other faraway climates this spring alongside our partner organisations. Check out our ‘Goodbye to the Geese’ events now on the Wild Goose Festival website here.
We hope to see you there!