A CELEBRATION which brings Dunbar together and dates back nearly 50 years is about to get under way.

Dunbar Civic Week was established in 1970 to mark the 600th anniversary of the Royal Charter, granted by King David II, which created the Burgh of Dunbar.

The staple of the Dunbar social calendar starts on Saturday and runs until next Sunday (June 23).

The popular celebration begins with the community parade, which meets at Dunbar Leisure Pool at 11.30am.

The parade then leaves at noon and makes its way to the town’s Bleachingfield Centre, where the crowning takes place at about 12.30pm.

Teagan Daley will be crowned this year’s Civic Queen by former Queen Annie-Rose Dickson.

The 2019 Royal Court are: Queen’s Consort – Kai Lavery; Queen’s Attendants – Isla McLaughlin and Abby Cowan; Pageboys – Kaelen McLaren and Lukas Dulieba; Flowergirls – Eden Francis and Anya MacIver.

A fun day, featuring face-painters, balloon modellers and a range of sporting activities, then takes place at Bleachingfield Park.

Also taking place on Saturday is a football festival at Hallhill, 9am-4pm; Biking the Bounds from the Bleachingfield Centre at 10.30am; a Victorian Portrait Studio at McArthur’s Stores, Victoria Street, noon-5pm; The Three Craws an the mysterious licht at Sunny Dunbar at The Battery at 4.30pm; and Dunbar Archery Club come and try session at Dunbar Parish Church Hall from 7pm.

On Sunday, a family fun day is held at Dunbar Cement Plant from 10am, while there is a Kwik Cricket Festival at Winterfield Park between 10am and 2pm. Also taking place on the day is an open afternoon at Dunbar Lifeboat Station from 1pm, while there is Gospel music at Dunbar Day Centre at 6pm.

Dunbar Community Council’s community awards take place on Monday, from 7pm at the Town House, while Dunbar Music School holds a series of short 20-30-minute concerts by Dunbar Music School CIC at St Anne’s Church at 7.15pm (and again on Wednesday). The day also brings Beyond Monopoly: 21st Century Boardgaming for Beginners at Belhaven Church Stables, 7-10pm.

On Tuesday, there is a chance to make your own Dunbar emoji, at the Seams Sew shop on High Street at 3.40pm, as well as a CoastWord Haverings Special for Dunbar Civic Week at 8pm at the Station Yard Micropub.

Then on Wednesday, the royal court tree planting is held at 10.30am at the Ridge Backlands, as well as a five-a-side football tournament at Hallhill, 5.45pm registration for 6pm start.

Also on Wednesday there are Bookbug sessions at the Bleachingfield Library at 9am and 10am; an open day at Dunbar Day Centre, 11am-2pm; and a beetle drive with 1st Belhaven Guides at Belhaven Church Hall from 6.15pm.

Events continue throughout the week until he curtain comes down on the festival next Sunday with the thanksgiving service at Dunbar Battery at 6.30pm.

For a full list of events, see dunbarcivicweek.org.uk