King and Queen confirmed for 2024 Comet Festival

A NEW gala king and queen have been crowned ahead of the 2024 Comet Festival in Port Glasgow this weekend.

The annual event will take place in Coronation Park on Saturday 22 June 2024 and taking the crown this year are local school pupils Oluwafikayomi Tafa, who is in P6 at St Michael’s, and Aaron Arthur, who is in P7 at Newark Primary.

The new gala king and queen will preside over an action-packed programme of fun for all the family starting from 11.30am through until 6pm.

They were chosen after winning a competition to design a badge for the 250th anniversary of Port Glasgow in 2025. 

The festival is free to attend and will feature live music, funfair, children’s activities, stalls, and food and drink tents.

Gala queen Oluwafikayomi said: “It’s great to be gala queen. I was surprised to be asked but I’m excited about it.

“I’m looking forward to the whole festival and hoping the weather will be nice too.” 

Comet Festival 2024 gala queen Oluwafikayomi Tafa and gala king Aaron Arthur at Coronation Park
Comet Festival 2024 gala queen Oluwafikayomi Tafa and gala king Aaron Arthur at Coronation Park where the festival will be held in front of the Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow sculpture. 

Gala king Aaron said: “I am really happy to be the gala king and excited about the festival.

“I’m looking forward to the funfair and the stalls.”

The event is being organised by the Comet Festival Committee with support from Inverclyde Council and is part of the Meliora Festival once again this year.

Kelly Johnstone, from the committee, said: “The Comet Festival is an important date in the Port Glasgow calendar and is an event that many people enjoyed as children and are now bringing their own children and grandchildren.

“It’s a great way to bring the whole community of Port Glasgow and Inverclyde together and it’s a fun, free day out for families.

“We’re hoping people come out as they do each year to support the event and the weather forecast is looking good as it stands, which is always a bonus.”

More information about the Comet Festival, as well as other local events and activities, is available on the Discover Inverclyde website – discoverinverclyde.com – and social media channels.

Comet Festival 2024 poster
Comet Festival 2024 poster.