We Make Kilmarnock
Reimagining Our Town, Together
Fiona McKenzie OBE – Chair, Kilmarnock Neighbourhood Board
For too long, Kilmarnock has been talked about in the past tense: “Kilmarnock used to be great.” But what if we stopped waiting for someone else to make change happen? What if the town’s future was shaped by the people who live, work, learn and play here? That question sits at the heart of We Make Kilmarnock – an ambitious initiative designed to reimagine the town, energise the community, and bring people together in positive action.
We Make Kilmarnock was made possible through UK Government funding, created to enable community-led, council-enabled initiatives to move forward, and the strategy itself has been shaped by the voices of thousands of local people, reflecting what the community truly wants for Kilmarnock; a vision built from the ground up – by the community and for the community.
The Kilmarnock Fair Festival, taking place this year on Saturday 27th June in the town’s Howard Park, will act as the launchpad for this initiative, which will bring £20 million of investment into delivering the town’s strategy over the next ten years. The all-day, family-friendly event will feature free funfair rides for children, food and drink stalls celebrating local produce, and exhibits from businesses showcasing Kilmarnock’s enterprise and creativity. Throughout the day and into the evening, the park will come alive with performances from fantastic local bands – with the full line-up still to be announced. Watch this space!
But We Make Kilmarnock’s ambition goes far beyond a single festival. It is about creating lasting opportunity and optimism: supporting year-round pop-up and fringe events across the town, providing funding for local initiatives, encouraging collaboration between charities, businesses, and residents, and promoting and celebrating the hundreds of independent businesses that are the lifeblood of Kilmarnock. Every project contributes to a shared goal – to transform the town’s narrative from one of decline to one of energy, pride, and possibility.
At its core, We Make Kilmarnock is about empowerment. Every event, investment, and idea is designed to challenge negative perceptions and to prove that many of the challenges facing towns can be addressed when people are enabled to make the change they want to see – without waiting for solutions to be delivered from elsewhere.
Whether you are a resident, a visitor, or simply curious to learn more, Kilmarnock invites you to be part of its future. Join us at the Fair Festival on Saturday 27th June and experience the energy of a town that refuses to be defined by its past.
Together, the people of Kilmarnock can show that our best days are yet to come.
We Make Kilmarnock.
