MUSIC, arts, literature and more will fill Haddington over three days at the end of the month.
A full programme has been revealed for this year’s Haddstock, which takes place from May 29 to 31.
The festival, which features music from an array of genres, including folk, pop and indie, is spread over more than 20 venues.
Beki Dover, festival director, has been at the heart of the event since it launched in 2017.
Now, she is counting down to the latest edition of Haddstock.
She said: “This is year nine and our sixth live festival.
“We are really pleased with the names we have been able to attract, especially in partnership with The Brunton for the headline gigs.
“This year, we are hosting Alice Faye, who has just won the BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year award.
“We have also got Sarah/Shaun and Man of Moon.
“We are delighted to have got some big names.”
This year’s Haddstock features a range of venues, including Memorial Park, The Haddy Tap, Falko and Jabberwocky.
And there is a green-fingered feel to it, with events at St Mary’s Pleasance and East Lothian Flower Farm.
Beki said: “This year, we have a garden theme.
“This year, we are partnering with East Lothian Climate Hub, which means we are able to bring some garden and climate events to the festival as well as we have got an art exhibition, small art installations by young people, authors and a real variety of music.
“We have got different genres in our venues, which are pubs and cafes, but also we have music in St Mary’s Pleasance Garden.
“We will have Knox Jazz Band, Gullane Ceilidh Band and the U3A Folk Group and nice outdoor events and family events in Memorial Park.”
But Haddstock is not just a festival for established musicians.
Each year, young, budding musicians and amateur artists are given a chance to learn their craft.
Entry to many of the performances is by donation.
The festival director stressed that they wanted to put on something for everyone.
She added: “We want to include as many members of the community as possible.
“People come out as families and if a family comes out, we would like there to be something for kids and something to occupy adults and something for grandparents as well.
“Our age demographic is really broad and we do like to try to make sure we cater for everybody.”
Work to organise Haddstock goes on throughout much of the year.
Fundraising takes place in the autumn so that planning can begin in the New Year.
Now, with the full programme announced – and details available at www.haddstock.co.uk – Beki was looking forward to welcoming crowds of people.
She said: “I cannot believe it is at the end of this month.
“It has crept up and then, at this point with three weeks to go, it is a case of making a million lists and checking them twice but we are really excited.”
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