Musselburgh residents will tomorrow (Friday) find out who will be their Honest Lad and Honest Lass for 2023.

And this year the pair will be chosen not by public vote, as is traditional, but via a new system.

For 2023, organisers the Honest Toun’s Association (HTA) decided to change the procedure, and the positions of Honest Lad and Honest Lass have been decided by a selection panel of community representatives.

These include representatives from the 2016 Riding of the Marches; local youth organisations; primary and secondary schools; community councils including Wallyford and Whitecraig; churches; community police; working professionals and volunteers within the EH21 postcode.

Organisers said this year’s “election” will be “almost identical to the public eye”, with the only change being the time of the announcement being brought forward to 7.30pm, outside The Brunton, making it “more accessible” to families.

HTA president Alistair Barclay said: “Our new process allows candidates to participate in the selection process outside of the public eye, which can be intimidating and unnerving.

“By making these changes we’ve created a slicker process for our prospective candidates.”

In previous years, all candiates for the roles of Honest Lad and Honest Lass have been named in the run up to the public election – this year, applicants’ identities have been a closely guarded secret.

Mr Barclay explained: “So far, the feedback has been a resounding success, with the most amount of applications we’ve had in years and candidates commenting on how this change has been the reason for their first-time applications.”

“A selection panel consisting of a diverse group of representatives in the community were tasked with the interview process. This was a mix of those in professional working capacities within the town and some in volunteering roles within the wider community. This is the same format in place for the 2016 Riding of the Marches.

“To encourage as many people as possible to apply next year, keeping the process confidential and thus respecting the wishes of both those who are applying and those in professional working roles in the town, at the time of applying those applying and the selection panel have agreed not to disclose the names of anybody involved in the interview process.

“The new process allows candidates to put their name forward without being publicly shared. Only those who are successful as Honest Lad and Honest Lass will be shared publicly. Feedback from potential candidates who have been reluctant in the past, and those who have previously applied, was that being publicly named in the paper, and specifically social media, was a major factor in deciding not to stand.”

Attendants have previously been those candidates not elected Honest Lad and Honest Lass; this year, 2022’s Honest Lad and Honest Lass – Jack McFarlane and Amy Rooke – will support their successors as chief attendants.

Mr Barclay said: “We have had a great start to the year with a number of successful events, including our very popular quiz night and Stars in their Eyes night.”

Preparations for the festival week in July are already ongoing.

He added: “We are well under way working on our packed 72-page programme, which has information on lots of first-time events whilst also remaining true to what we are celebrating. We are also very lucky to have patrons, sponsors and supporters to whom the spirit of festival means such a great deal and have enabled the festival to continue year on year.

“We have two young adults who are eagerly awaiting their official election as Honest Lad and Honest Lass, and from the last Friday in April through to August will start their adventure, visiting local organisations, attending other towns’ dinners and balls, and taking part in common ridings and festivals across the Scottish Borders and beyond.

“Everyone from residents to visitors alike are welcome and we would love to see you at the steps of the Brunton from 7.15pm on Friday.”

In the lead up to the formalities, the Clark Community Choir and Musselburgh & Penicuik Boys’ Brigade Pipe Band will entertain spectators from around 7.15pm. Free ice cream will be handed out to children accompanied by an adult.

Following the announcement, the official party of four will dance the reel outside the Brunton Hall, with senior representatives from both Musselburgh Grammar School and St David’s High School in Dalkeith, before the pipe band leads the newly elected Honest Lad and Honest Lass and followers to the election night dance at Musselburgh Store Club.

A small number of tickets, priced at £10, are still available for the election night dance. Purchasing in advance is strongly recommended. For more information or to order tickets, message the Musselburgh Festival Facebook page or go to its website.