RESIDENTS are looking forward to the return of Dirleton Fete & Games for the first time in three years, as the popular event is held this Saturday.

Running between 1pm and 5pm, the event is back this weekend after a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event is believed to have been held in the village since the early 1900s, and a photo of one of the events held in the 1950s will be one of several pictures on display at the Dirleton History Society stall.

Other events, stalls, refreshments and activities will include children’s races, sideshows, bowling, a family dog show, baking competition, vegetable carving competition, plant stall, raffle, book and bric-a-brac stall, playgroup stall (with children’s activities), bar, tea tent, barbecue, ice cream van, music tent, classic cars, children’s inflatables and a fire engine.

The categories for the baking competition include animal biscuits, vanilla butterfly cakes or chocolate bat cakes for those aged 10 and under; chocolate cupcakes or cream-filled meringues for those aged 11-15; and lemon drizzle cake, gluten-free lemon polenta or iced ginger cake for adults (aged 16 plus).

Judging will be carried out by the head chef from Archerfield Walled Garden and prizes will be awarded to all first-place entries, while there will be certificates (and medals for children) for those placed second and third.

This year’s theme for the popular fruit and vegetable carving competition is sea creatures.

Judging will take place by age group – aged 10 and under, age 11-15; and adult (16 plus).

Anyone interested in entering one or both of the competitions can find further details at dirletonvillage.org/dirleton-fete-and-games

The fun family dog show will begin at about 3pm and the categories will be best dog, best bitch, best puppy, dog most like their owner, waggiest tail, best young handler, dog the judge would most like to take home, and fancy dress.

A committee spokesperson said: “We’re delighted that the fete and games will be back again this year.

“It’s been an important event for the village for very many years and was greatly missed in 2020 and 2021.

“It’s a really fun day out for all age groups, with the added benefit of raising money for local causes.”