Dumfriesshire counting down to the 67th Eurovision Song Contest

Dumfriesshire is counting down to the UK-hosted 67th Eurovision Song Contest.

For the first time ever, the grand final on Saturday, May 13 will be broadcast live into cinemas across the UK, with Alan Towers, owner of the Annan Lonsdale Cinema, relishing the opportunity to throw a Eurovision celebration.

He said: “Fans can come together and be united by music, sharing in the incredible experience of celebrating the biggest, brightest, boldest music party of the year on the big screen.

“Eurovision fans will be able to take to their seats with their friends in the Annan Lonsdale Cinema to view a special preview of BBC Three’s new show, I Kissed a Boy, presented by Dannii Minogue, at 7.30pm, before the grand final takes place from 8pm.

Annan Lonsdale Cinema owner Alan Towers (right) and staff member, Cameron Bell, are getting ready for their first-ever live screening of the Eurovision final (Jim McEwan)

“We’ve already had interest on Facebook and bookings.”

The world’s largest live music event is being hosted this year in the Liverpool Arena by the BBC on behalf of Ukraine to a global audience of more than 160 million.

And the Big Burns Supper team at Loreburn Hall are set to join in with their own live screening, party celebrations and games.

A spokesperson for the BBS said: “This is the big one for us. We are the home of campness in the south of Scotland and we cannot wait to throw open the doors for the live screening of Eurovision 2023.

“As well as the screening itself, we will have as many games as you can shake a stick at because if there is one night of the year we love more than anything – it’s Eurovision.”