THE stage is set for Wallyford Children’s Gala tomorrow (Saturday).

The annual community event will get off to a fun start with the fancy dress parade at 11.15am.

People of all ages are welcome to take part and should meet at the Wallyford Miners Club car park for the judging by 11am. There will be first, second and third prizes for best costumes.

The parade, which will feature the Gala Court, will move off at 11.15am, accompanied by the Coldstream Pipe Band.

Gala stewards will walk alongside the children taking part. A road closure will be in operation for the duration of the parade.

Children in the Gala Court will visit Drummohr Care Home, where they will meet the residents and enjoy juice and sweets.

The 2024 gala queen Ronnie McGhie and gala king Jack Young will be crowned by Emma Grierson, principal teacher at Wallyford Primary School, at a ceremony in the park next to Wallyford Miners Club at noon.

The winning gala court house and garden, which will be judged the evening before, will also be announced.

A variety of attractions can be enjoyed in the park during the afternoon, including funfair rides, ice cream and a colour bomb at 3.30pm.

The Dance Central dancers will also be performing at the gala.

Entry to the park is free but the gala team will be selling wristbands on the day, which give children unlimited access to age appropriate rides.

This year, The Clan, Scotland’s cycle stunt team, will be welcomed to the gala to showcase their daring bicycle skills.

Suzanne Laidlaw, from the gala team, said: “The gala team have been busy working hard behind the scenes since last year for what we hope will be another fantastic gala.

“Rehearsals have been under way and the children are now getting excited.

“It’s such a wonderful day for the village. It’s so nice to see so many families getting involved and coming together to support the gala. It’s good to see all ages getting involved in the fancy dress and joining in with the parade.

“This year, as well as all the funfair rides we usually have, we are also having for the first time The Clan, Scotland’s cycle stunt show.

“They will be performing three stunt shows throughout the day. We will still be closing the gala with the colour bomb finale.”

The gala team wish to thank all their supporters and sponsors for helping with this year’s gala.

They also paid tribute to local amateur photographer Angus Bathgate, who died in April at the age of 85, saying: “We will miss his kindness, enthusiasm, support and excellent photography skills.”