A WEEK of fun and tradition is about to get under way in the Honest Toun as this year’s Musselburgh Festival begins on Sunday.

The official party – Honest Lad Conor Scott, Honest Lass Katie McLaren and attendants Michael Morrison and Claire Dougal – will be the main attraction as they carry out their official duties during the week-long community event.

The main events begin with the traditional Kirkin Sunday for the official party, with the procession to St Michael’s Church, Inveresk, getting under way at 1.30pm for the service at 2pm.

Among those taking part in the Kirkin this year are the Honest Lad and Honest Lass from 50 years ago: Frank Grant and Kay Gifford.

The sashing of the Honest Lad and Lass also takes place on Sunday on the green beside the Hayweights Clock by the River Esk, opposite Tesco, at 4.15pm.

This year’s sasher is Musselburgh Grammar School’s headteacher Colin Gerrie.

The ever-popular Crusaders’ Chase on Monday is earlier this year, with horses and riders fording the River Esk near the Roman Bridge at 5.45pm instead of 6pm, followed by a duck race.

This year, the Club Captain is Scott Nisbet. The riders will form at Inveresk Industrial Estate at 5.30pm.

The Crusaders’ Chase night dance is then held at 9.30pm at Eskmills Bowling Club.

This year, a new film about the lives of the Fisherrow fishwives, which was screened at The Brunton to celebrate International Women’s Day, is shown again at the Baptist Church in New Street on Tuesday at 7.30pm.

The Fishwives of Fisherrow – Preserving the Heritage of a Lost Community was commissioned by the Fisherrow Waterfront Group and paid for by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Musselburgh Athletic is also organising a football tournament the same night at Olive Bank at 6.30pm.

Tuesday also witnesses the Junior Rideout, which departs from Inveresk Industrial Estate at 6pm.

While on Wednesday the free family fun day is held at Lewisvale Park between noon and 4pm.

Also on the day is the presentation night, at 7pm at The Brunton.

Then next Thursday (July 26), events include the festival tea dance at The Brunton, from 2pm to 4pm, as well as the community concert.

Next Friday (July 27) sees the hugely popular fancy dress parade take place, setting off at 7pm.

Judging takes place from 6.15pm, at Ashgrove for vehicles and at King Street/Loretto playing fields for pedestrians.

The parade is followed by the fancy dress disco at 8.30pm in Musselburgh Rugby Club.

The climax of the festival is next Saturday (July 28) with the Rideout, which leaves Pinkie Pillars at 9am.

That is followed by the Festival Day picnic at Musselburgh Racecourse and the Festival Ball at The Brunton at 7pm.

Waterfront Family Day next Sunday (July 29) brings the festival to a close, including a raft race and harbour ceremony which will herald the end of the festival.

For more details on all events taking place throughout the festival, go to musselburghfestival.org