IT’S the highlight of East Lothian’s agricultural calendar on Saturday, as the Haddington Show takes place at East Fortune, with action in the main ring getting under way at 9am.

This year, the show has several special surprises. The first is that it has been selected to play host, just for the day, to The Kelpies Maquettes: three-metre-high horse-head sculptures, hand-crafted by renowned Scottish sculptor Andy Scott, which were made as models to create the world’s largest equine sculpture, The Kelpies, near Falkirk.

The Haddington Show has also been chosen to host the Scottish Limousin Grandprix. The Grandprix has become a major event in the summer cattle showing calendar.

If high adrenaline is more your thing, one of the key events in the main ring will be the Xtreme Stunt Team – a pedal and motorbike stunt group. The show consists of two riders and a commentator, which includes the reigning and five-times world cycle trials champion Jack Carthy.

Also displaying in the main ring will be Ridgeside Lurchers & Falcons, who will be demonstrating the speed and agility of their dogs and movement of their falcons.

Meanwhile, well-known Scotland rugby stars Nathan Hines and Ross Ford have also agreed to come to the Haddington Show and will judge the trade stands.

Scottish Opera is packing up its theatre on wheels and bringing three pop-up operas out on the road to the Haddington Show. A Little Bit of Figaro and A Little Bit of Mikado are re-written versions of the full operas and are suitable for all ages, while A Little Bit of Northern Light tells the story of one lonely little lighthouse standing firm against the storms of the North Atlantic tide, specifically created for four to eight-year-olds. Tickets are free but must be secured in advance from the Haddington Show website or on the day on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visitors can also see Haddington Pipe Band, heavy horses, pedigree cattle and vintage tractors, with a packed timetable running in the main ring from 9am until 5pm, as well as in outside rings for most of the day.

The show also has a new ring, The Gilmerton Ring, which will be hosting the heavy horses, pedigree cattle and various other demonstrations.

The Countryside Marquee and the Children’s Tent are both aimed at all the family, while youngsters can also enjoy face-painting, storytelling, a magician, rugby, bee-keeping, poultry and more, including a dog show.

For those more into cooking, baking and handicrafts, there will be hundreds of entries in the various produce and crafts classes in the tent. There are classes for both adults and children, covering a range of baking, growing and creating crafts.

2016 will also be seeing by far the biggest representation of local food and drink, with a big Food Market Marquee representing top county producers. This year, the show welcomes: Black and Gold Rapeseed Oil, Mungoswell Flour, Hoods Honey, Knowes Farm Shop, Glenkinchie, Knops Beer, Lockett Brothers, Dunbar Bakery, Belter & Cole, Phantassie Organic Veg, Pie Not and NB Gin. Meanwhile, Derek Johnstone, head chef of The Golf Inn, Gullane, and former winner of Professional MasterChef, will be doing cookery demonstrations.

For horse lovers there is plenty of entertainment, as always, including three brand new horses classes: Ridden Veteran, Ridden Heavy Horse and Fancy Dress. All horse classes are able to take entries on the day of the show, though at double the entry fee.

After the success of 2015, there are continental and native pedigree cattle classes, as well as the usual cattle and sheep classes.

There’s also a bar to keep everyone refreshed, various food stands and plenty of musical entertainment.

In 2016, the show takes place once again at East Fortune, as it has since 2013.

Entry costs £10 for adult, £5 for children aged six to 16, and children aged five and under go free. Family tickets cost £25.

Free buses run from Haddington, North Berwick, Dunbar (new for 2016) and East Linton (new for 2016), and there is ample parking, close to the showground, including a disabled car park. Bus timetables are available on the show’s website.

For more information, visit www.haddingtonshow.co.uk