IT’S time to celebrate in Musselburgh as the town plays host to a week of fun events thanks to the return of the Musselburgh Festival.

The annual celebration features a host of fun family events as Honest Lad Aidan Maguire, Honest Lass Claire Dougal and the rest of the official party take centre stage.

Events taking place over the course of the festival, which is organised by the Honest Toun’s Association, are as follows:

Saturday July, 20

  • Musselburgh & District Athletics Festival Races – 10.30am at Loretto Playing Fields.
  • Bowling competition Open Triples – entry £10. 10.30am for 11am start. Email bowlingcomp@outlook.com
  • Festival Dog Show – Lewisvale Park. Registration 12.30pm.

Sunday, July 21

  • Kirkin’ service – 11am, St Michael’s Inveresk.
  • Sashing ceremony – 1.30pm, Hayweights Clock (if raining Northesk Parish Church).
  • Something Different To Do, Honest Lasses Association – 7pm, Musselburgh Rugby Club. Tickets £8, email info@musselburgh festival.org

Monday, July 22

  • Crusaders’ Chase – river crossing, 5.45pm sharp.
  • Duck race – 6.15pm, Roman Bridge.
  • Crusaders’s Chase Night Dance – 9.30pm, Eskmills Bowling Club. Entry £8 at the door.

Tuesday, July 23

  • Shop and garden competition judging – all entries should be ready from 9am for judging to begin later that morning.
  • Garden/house decorating competition – let the organisers know your address to ensure the judges know you are entering. Email info@musselburghfestival.org
  • Junior Ride – 6pm leaving from Inveresk Industrial Estate.
  • Festival football tournament in association with Musselburgh Athletic Football Club – 6.30pm, Olive Bank.

Wednesday, July 24

  • Family treasure hunt – 10.30am Lewisvale Park, registration now open.
  • Presentation night – 7pm at The Brunton. Tickets £10, email info@musselburghfestival.org

Thursday, July 25

  • Festival tea dance – 2-4pm, Loretto Church Hall, tickets £3 from the pop-up shop at The Brunton or at the door.
  • Festival concert – tickets £8 from The Brunton.

Friday, July 26

  • Fancy dress parade – 7pm start. Vehicles judging 6.15pm, Ashgrove. Pedestrians judging 6.15pm, King Street/Loretto Playing Fields.
  • Fancy dress after party – Musselburgh Rugby Club, tickets £5, approx 8.30pm.

Saturday, July 27

  • Festival Day – riders to be mounted 8.15am. Ride leaves Pinkie Pillars 9am.
  • Festival Day family fun day – Pinkie St Peters Playing Fields, free for all.
  • Festival ball – 7pm, The Brunton, tickets £45. To order tickets or book a table, email musselburghfestivalball@gmail.com

Sunday, July 28

  • Fisherrow Family Fun Day in association with Fisherrow Waterfront Group – 11.30am to 2.30pm, Fisherrow Harbour.
  • Raft race – 1.30pm, registration required
  • Due to insufficient high tide, the harbour ceremony will take place on another date still to be confirmed.