While Fringe by the Sea will play host to famous acts as Sister Sledge and Travis, talented East Lothian stars – and local businesses – will also be in the spotlight.
At the centre of the festival, the Coulters Makers Market and Street Food Village will house a variety of local businesses selling their East Lothian products.
At the market, businesses such as Lovesurf, Raven Botanicals and Bonzo Art will be on hand to sell a range of local crafts, clothing and art.
For the foodies, Steampunk Coffee, Wild at Heart and East Lothian Deli Box will join a stacked street food section to serve the best of East Lothian food and drink.
READ MORE: Fringe by the Sea: Scotland's 'freshest festival' returns
Nearby, master partner North Berwick Trust’s hub will allow people to learn more about the group’s work, while community partner The Lighthouse’s stage will platform a variety of free music from up-and-coming bands such as Kings of Lugton and Room 27, and many local favourites, including Prestonpans’ Alex Hodgson.
Cockenzie-based Heavy Sound will host free DJing sessions, while families can let loose their creative side at the Zine Workshop and Wool School Craft Corner. Kids can even create their own totem poles!
Throughout tomorrow (Friday), the Scottish Seabird Centre will host Bioblitz by the Sea, with a range of activities taking place, including rockpooling, whale watching and identifying coastal wildflowers.
There will also be opportunities to Walk the Toun with former local councillor Dave Berry, visit an exhibition at the Coastal Communities Museum, participate in activities with North Berwick Youth Project (NBYP), and drop in to the Envirozone to speak to people from Sustaining North Berwick and Caledonian Horticulture.
North Berwick Community Skatepark Project and Surfskate Academy will team up on Saturday for a surfskate training session (with more later in the week).
A samba drumming workshop will also take place on Saturday, supported by East Lothian Council arts service.
Sunday will provide the chance to explore sea creatures with Rock & Bird and a craft session with NBYP.
Monday will see youngsters write a song with the council arts service, a coastal walk with North Berwick in Bloom, yoga with Katy Wakefield and NBYP, and BBC’s Glenn Campbell hosting a chat with Alistair Darling.
The Haddington Musical Mill Company also presents Shrek the Musical, while North Berwick Pipe Band will join Dunedin Dance Academy to provide ‘Sounds of Scotland’.
Ezee Riders E-Bike tour is on Tuesday, while younger visitors can enjoy stories and rhymes with North Berwick Library and an intro to music technology with the council arts service.
Tuesday also hosts a Mill Youth Theatre double bill, a tour of the Lodge Grounds and a chance to remember the town’s outdoor pool.
Wednesday brings two talks from county men, as Jean-Luc Barbanneau talks about his life growing up in Algeria and how he came to live in North Berwick, while William Dalrymple talks about his new book, The Anarchy.
North Berwick Environment and Heritage Trust also host an event on championing the town, while guest author Karen Campbell joins Boozy Book Club Late.
Thursday sees North Berwick Trust, Bookbug, Jonny Williams and the Last Rangers, and Room 8 Studio returning with their latest documentary.
Friday, August 11, brings sketching tips from Fantoosh Sketching and a drum circle run by the council’s arts service.
The final weekend of the festival starts with Nicola Bourke of East Lothian Yoga School’s fundraiser for MND Scotland, and pebble painting from Rock & Bird.
Bombskare then light up the Big Top stage with their ‘Scottish death reggae’.
The festival closes on Sunday, August 13 with a council-led interactive puppet show, Ceilidh Kids and Gullane Community Ceilidh Band.
For full event schedule and timings, visit www.fringebythesea.com/line-up
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