THE West End Festival Parade will go ahead despite predictions of rain, organisers have promised.

The annual spectacular is due to take place on Sunday.

The promise came as Glasgow firms stumped up £7000 to help stage the festival after a call from organisers.

As the Evening Times revealed in April, West End business owners were urged to help out with the costs of staging Sunday's Mardi Gras.

Among the local shops, restaurants and bars to put their hands in their pockets were Oran Mor, the G1 Group, TSB, Bar Brel, Stravaigan, the Hanoi Bike Shop, Oliver Bonas, Booly Mardy's and Papyrus.

But organisers say they still need more cash and will still welcome any contributions from local businesses who benefit from the crowds the event brings to the West End.

It is estimated to cost around £50,000 to stage the annual parade, which involves closing Byres Road, setting up public toilets, implementing security and policing, cleansing, as well as other costs.

The parade is the centrepiece of the festival, which is now in its 19th year, and gives a multi-million boost to the West End.

Around 80,000 people attended last year - and it is hoped even more revellers will flock west this weekend.

At the same time, the country's biggest multi-cultural festival will be taking place in Kelvingrove Park.

As part of this weekend's Mela event a host of international artists will perform in the park's refurbished bandstand after its £2.2 million makeover.

Glasgow's Kelvingrove Bandstand officially reopened last week following a 15- year closure and has been transformed into a performance space for music, dance, and theatre events.

rachel.loxton@ eveningtimes.co.uk