ORGANISERS of the 3 Harbours Arts Festival are planning to take the annual festivities online for the first time this year, after the 2020 event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Taking place across Prestonpans, Cockenzie and Port Seton, the 3 Harbours Arts Festival has traditionally offered a variety of exhibitions, workshops and children’s events.

In September 2019, the festival committee announced it was considering taking a break for 2020 – a decision that was then enforced by lockdown.

Organisers have now said that this year’s festival – which will take place between July 3 and 11 – will go virtual, exhibiting and selling work by a selection of East Lothian artists and creators online, and also hosting a variety of arts and family activity videos.

In a statement, they said: “The evolving situation dictates that we cannot commit to a live arts festival this summer throughout Cockenzie, Port Seton and Prestonpans but we recognise the need for community arts events in order to inspire positivity and creativity, and it is essential for local artists and makers to have a platform to promote and sell their work during these unusual times.”

The main platform will be the festival’s website, 3harbours.co.uk, with a link to an Etsy shop – there will also be tasters and updates on social media.

To exhibit and sell work as part of the online festival, or produce a workshop, activity or performance video, email coord3haf@gmail.com for more details.

The closing date for submissions is May 31.