The Edinburgh Festivals' Cavalcade relocates to Holyrood Park this year for the first time ever due to the need to avoid the tram works on Princes Street.
The Calvacade will start at 2pm on 9th August at the Holyrood Park Road entrance (by the Commonwealth Pool) and travel north and east along The Queen's Drive past Dynamic Earth, the Scottish Parliament and Palace of Holyrood House and finish at the Meadowbank Terrace entrance (by Meadowbank Stadium) at about 3pm.
The Cavalcade will be led by over 150 motorbikes (including Harley Davidsons, Gold Wings and Ducatis) and will include the entire cast of The Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2009 plus over twenty Fringe and Community Floats and about twelve bands.
There will be over 2,000 participants altogether including many firm favourites - Fringe floats from Tempo Musical Productions, Forth Childrens' Theatre, Edinburgh Peoples' Theatre and the Lady Boys of Bangkok; Community floats from Balbardie Primary School, Bo'ness Childrens' Fair Festival and The Yard Adventure Centre in Edinburgh as well as bands from all over Scotland and a guest band of over sixty musicians from Norway - Bryn Skoles Muiskkorps.
There will be a representation of the Edinburgh March Riding Association carrying the new City of Edinburgh Banner. This and all the other entries will be acknowledged by the Lord Provost.
Between 12noon and 4pm, both immediately before and immediately after the Cavalcade, other informal performances by Fringe and Community groups are planned to take place in the Parade Ground between Holyrood Palace and Meadowbank with over 1,000 performers in costume.
Marching bands, dancing, tai-chi demonstrations, balloon modelling, glitter face painting and Chinese writing are some of the entertainment lined up.
Councillor Steve Cardownie, Festivals and Events Champion for the City of Edinburgh, said: "The Festivals' Cavalcade is always a popular event with residents and visitors of all ages and Holyrood Park will be a beautiful backdrop for it. With its vibrant colours, costumes and party atmosphere, the Cavalcade will give spectators a real taste of the Festivals and whet their appetite for the weeks' entertainment ahead."
Rebecca Hamilton, Marketing and Media Manager with Historic Scotland said: "We are delighted to host The Edinburgh Festivals' Cavalcade this year. Holyrood Park is such a spectacular setting that is loved and known by the people of Edinburgh. It is a place of leisure and relaxation, so what better place to host this colourful and lively celebration of the Edinburgh Festivals?"
David Todd, Cavalcade Director, said: "I am pleased to be able to present the Cavalcade as a slightly different event this year - making use of the space in Holyrood Park and its natural geography and keeping the core spectacular elements of the Cavalcade itself as the heart of the day. I am most grateful for the continuing co-operation with the City of Edinburgh Council, Historic Scotland and the Edinburgh Festivals."
On Sundays, the roads in Holyrood Park are closed as standard, so the Cavalcade will cause minimal disruption to the city. Spectators can arrive on foot at any of the five main entrances - Holyrood Park Road, Holyrood Gait, Horse Wynd, Meadowbank Terrace and Old Church Lane which are all near bus services. Cars with Disabled Badges will be the only vehicles allowed in the Park.
The Cavalcade is funded by the City of Edinburgh Council and operated in association with Historic Scotland.