TRANENT Children’s Gala Day committee is looking forward to seeing its hard work pay off on Sunday, as the celebrations for the gala’s 81st anniversary get under way, after Covid-19 cancelled plans for the last two years.

Alex Russel will be crowned this year’s Tranent Gala Queen at the Loch Centre on Sunday at 11.30am, just before the gala celebrations kick off at Ross High Playing Fields, where the community can enjoy free pony rides, stalls, shows, face painting, a disco, children’s racing and more.

Zak McNeill will be the queen’s consort and will escort her as she performs her duties during the day, including laying her bouquet at the war memorial.

Meanwhile, gala goody bags will be handed out from the Roots and Fruits van next to the tea tent at noon.

East Lothian Courier: Tranent Gala celebrations are taking place throughout the weekTranent Gala celebrations are taking place throughout the week

Radio Saltire will broadcast live from the fields from 12.30pm, while Dean Jones takes to the Saltire Stage for a performance at 1.30pm.

The gala races kick off from 2pm, with the Tranent Colts football team acting as first aiders on the field this year.

During Civic Week, which commences after gala day, the community can look forward to a pet show, a walking football tournament, a teddy bear’s picnic, fancy dress parade and more.

Next Saturday (June 11) will mark the end of the week’s festivities, with the grand parade at 6pm, which follows a fancy dress competition at Caponhall Road at 5pm.

East Lothian Courier: Tranent Gala has been sidelined since 2019Tranent Gala has been sidelined since 2019

The full list of events during gala week is as follows:

Saturday, June 4

2pm onwards: Best decorated house, judged by St Martin’s Men’s Group; Best decorated shop, judged by Pamela, Craig and Gracie McKinlay.

Sunday, June 5 (Gala Day)

11.30am: Crowning ceremony of the 81st Gala Queen.

Noon-4pm: Gala day celebrations, Ross High Playing Fields.

Tuesday, June 7

7pm: Gala quiz at East Lothian Co-operative Bowling Club, hosted by Tranent Rotary Club. Tickets cost £10 for a team of four.

Wednesday, June 8

6pm: Pet show hosted by Dunedin Vets, Haddington Road. Categories for awards include happiest pet, pet most like their owner, pet with the most shiny coat and most unusual pet. A minimum donation entry fee of £1 is required and all funds will be donated to Tranent Gala.

6.30pm-8.30pm: Tranent Colts Walking Football, Foresters Park.

7.15pm: Centre Stage: A Musical Trip Through Time, Loch Centre

8pm: Domino Open Pairs at Whispers Lounge Bar hosted by Tranent & District Domino League. Tickets cost £5 per pair.

Thursday, June 9

11am: Teddy bears’ picnic organised by Tranent Library, Band Stand, Polson Park (weather permitting).

7.15pm: Centre Stage: A Musical Trip Through Time, Loch Centre.

Friday, June 10

6.30pm-9pm: Tranent Colts parents and coaches five-a-side tournament, Foresters Park.

7.15pm: Centre Stage: A Musical Trip Through Time, Loch Centre.

Saturday, June 11

5pm: Fancy Dress competition, judging at Caponhall Road.

6pm: Grand parade from Caponhall Road.