THIS year’s Musselburgh Festival is set to offer an “energetic kaleidoscope of events” for locals and visitors alike.

The annual community event, held from July 20 to 27 and organised by the Honest Toun’s Association (HTA), is a chance for people to celebrate the traditions of the town and enjoy a variety of fun for all the family.

The 2024 Honest Lad Billy Innes and Honest Lass Eilidh Bonthron will lead the festivities, supported by the 2023 Honest Lad Aiden McLaren and Honest Lass Ellen Brown.

Alistair Barclay, president of the HTA, said: “The festival remains the constant foundation in a wind of change.

“Our unique heritage is important to many people in many ways.

“It’s a time when we used ceremony, celebration and song to describe who we were, and in doing so create that unique identity of who we are today.

“Serving as president for a second year, the scale of our festival never ceases to amaze me.”

He thanked the individuals, patrons and businesses who made the event happen, adding: “We hope to show our appreciation by providing everyone involved with a bustling and energetic kaleidoscope of events for our town.

“Musselburgh Festival is renowned for its warm hospitality shown to our visitors and guests throughout our week, and we look forward to renewing this wholehearted welcome to those who will be travelling near and far to join us.

“When the last week in July arrives, Musselburgh will take centre stage, reciting her own story and creating her own chapter in the history books of our unparalleled festivities the world over.”

'Privileged'

This year’s honorary provost is Councillor Cher Cassini.

She said: “I feel deeply honoured to be Musselburgh’s civic head for 2024. It’s the first time I have undertaken this role and I simply can’t express how privileged I feel to represent our town in this manner. I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to this year’s Honest Lad Billy and Honest Lass Eilidh. I’m sure 2024 will always be a year they remember.”

Next Saturday (June 20), a 10k race and children’s fun run, bowling competition, swimming gala and dog show can be enjoyed.

The next day is the Kirkin’ at Northesk Church, which is the official start to festival week.

The service, in support of the Honest Lad and Honest Lass, will be preceded by a procession from the Old Town Hall at 10.30am. After the Kirkin’, the Honest Lad and Honest Lass will place a wreath at the war memorial.

The Sashing of the Honest Lad and Honest Lass is at 1pm on the banks of the River Esk at The Mall. The 2024 Sasher is local author Janey Jones.

After becoming a full-time mother, Janey turned her thoughts to writing and has travelled the world on book tours, especially with her Princess Poppy series. She has written novels and a biography of the first female doctors which is being developed into a film.

At the Sashing ceremony, the Honest Lad is given the Burgh flag and charged by the provost to carry it “unsullied and unstained” throughout the remainder of the week. A jewelled riding crop is presented to the Honest Lass, who performs the time-honoured ceremony of Bussing the Colours.

Crusaders Chase returns

Activities next Monday (July 22) include the spectacle of the Crusaders Chase at the Roman Bridge at 5.30pm.

Led by Sarah Hawes, captain of the Crusaders Riding Club and Honest Lass in 1997, the riders will ford the Esk before making their way to Crookston Farm and heading back to Musselburgh via Wallyford for the traditional beach gallop no earlier than 8.15pm. Also on the programme that day is a treasure hunt and duck race.

Next Tuesday (July 23), the junior ride takes place, leaving from Inveresk Industrial Estate, and festival football kicks off at Olivebank, the home of Musselburgh Athletic Football Club.

A fun cycle is held next Wednesday (July 24), which is also presentation night when the Honest Lad and Honest Lass, along with former Honest Lasses and a town principal who will mark special anniversaries, will take centre stage at Loretto Church Hall.

Celebrating her 60th diamond anniversary is Sylvia Stillie (née Gifford), who was Honest Lass in 1964. George Innes is marking his golden anniversary as turf cutter in the 1974 Riding of the Marches, which is held in the town every 21 years. Lawrie Anne Brown, Honest Lass in 1999, is looking forward to her silver anniversary. Honest Lad that year was Chris McGinn.

Thursday, July 25, offers a variety of entertainment such as the Singing Kettle, a tea dance, touch rugby tournament and quiz night.

A badminton competition and ‘spot the cuckoo’, to guess the mystery items in shop windows, is on Friday, July 26, with the fancy dress parade leaving Loretto RC School playground at 6.30pm.

Festival Day

Saturday, July 27, is Festival Day, which is the only occasion the Burgh Standard will be carried on horseback, a role undertaken by the Honest Lad.

The first stop is Pinkie House, where he delivers a scroll to the headmaster of Loretto School in recognition of friendship throughout the years. The procession then leaves from Pinkie Pillars for the ride out to Whitecraig via Inveresk, then to Wallyford before returning to Musselburgh for a gallop along the beach, and short ceremony at Fisherrow Harbour.

The Honest Lad returns the flag to the Honorary Provost “unsullied and unstained” on High Street, where presentations are made to the youngest and oldest riders.

Festival races will then take place at the racecourse.

A variety of fun activities for members of the public will also be enjoyed at the racecourse from 1pm to 6pm, with live music headlined by Lost Boys. Attractions include stilt walkers, craft stalls, rides, inflatables, food outlets, a beer, gin and prosecco bar.

In the evening, Musselburgh Rugby Club is the venue for the Big Burgh Bash.

For more information, visit musselburghfestival.org or search Musselburgh Festival on Facebook.