Once again, Aberdeen Student Charities Campaign were proud to bring you another bombastic Torcher Parade, and as ever, ASR was on hand to enhance the fun with a live broadcast from their float, as well as photographs of EVERY float, the torch bearers, and much much more!
With nearly 50 floats this year, Torcher Parade 2010 was another unmitigated success, with hundreds of locals lining the streets to see what wacky ideas the students could imagine this year. They were far from disappointed. There was a wide variety of floats from enthusiastic student clubs and societies, including ASR’s very own Nightclub at the End of the Universe. Others though, took a more serious approach and focused on promotional campaigns like the Vote For Students appeal; a group working to encourage students to vote for their own interests, due to some parties’ wishes to raise tuition fees (the fiends!). It all kicked off around 7.30, following the traditional route in a big loop from the Marischal College to Queens Cross and back down Union Street. Roughly 80 students joined forces to bear the torches in an attempt to win the world record for the longest torchlit student parade. Against the backdrop of the setting sun, this created a fantastic scene. It was also truly the time where the floats with lights really came into their own, with ASR’s disco lights arcing across Union Street’s shimmering Granite facades to great effect. After returning to John Street, the floats were abandoned in a flurry to the already exhausted stewards to dismantle, and a mass exodus of students descended on the RGUnion for an after-party that went well into the early hours. With parties on multiple floors, plenty of crazy dancing, and highlights such as the AU Juggling Society showing off their skills with glowsticks, including a fantastic outfit with near 100 glowsticks on it.
Sadly, the parade came to an end all to soon for some, but certainly left alot of people feeling quite tired, but fear not, ASR Photographer Andrew MacKillop was on hand to capture as much of the event as possible, so check out the photos below. And don’t forget to vote for your favourite float!
Which of course, should be ASR!!
Check out the full set on flickr here
ASR would like to thank all the people who came together to make this night a huge success, including the ASCC and its volunteers, the Grampian Police, Aberdeen City road workers, and all the people who made, performed, and came to watch all the floats.
A special ASR shoutout also goes out to the good people from Nobles amusements and General George for their support with their materials for our float. Thank you.
Article by: Andrew MacKillop
