Centenary of the Kate Kennedy Spring Procession

Aim

To mark the Centenary of the Procession we plan a series of major community events on 16-19th April 2026 in St Andrews

For 100 years, since its foundation in 1926, the Kate Kennedy Club (a registered SCIO) has organised a yearly historical community pageant through the streets of St Andrews, Fife, featuring beautifully-costumed characters from the history of the town, University and Scotland. 

This yearly procession is a much-loved feature of the local community and has been organised by student members of the Club since its inception, with the aim of improving town-university relations, preserving tradition, and raising money for Fife charities. Its 160 characters, many on horseback and in horse-drawn carriages, are played by a mixture of students, residents and alumni.

Next year, to mark its Centenary, we plan a series of major events on 16-19th April 2026 to engage the St Andrews (and wider Fife) community in a celebration of their local history and heritage. We have booked St Andrews Town Hall to be a community hub for the weekend, with events including a historical symposium, a Community Day including a lunch, book readings and kids activities, a history trail around the town, the Procession itself, a tour of historic community buildings, an exhibition of artefacts, and a community ceilidh for young people.

Our event will bring together students, local residents (especially young people and their families), alumni of St Andrews and those living in the wider North East Fife area in a community celebration of their history, heritage and culture. The Procession is very well known locally as a yearly "town-gown" event that strengthens the relationships between students and the local community via a unique celebration. It promotes "living history" as participants portray characters which represent Scotland's history, and gives those watching (and taking part) a sense of civic pride in their community. You can see some further details here.

We are now seeking funding support from Club alumni, local businesses and individuals to help fund the important events for the local community which we describe above, in order to make this an extra special day for everyone, and ensure the Procession continues for another 100 years!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made