Proud history on show at Holy Fair
One of Ayrshire’s most historic villages will be the true centre of attention this Saturday as the Mauchline Holy Fair returns.
Celebrating the village’s links to Robert Burns, the festival marks the four years he spent at Mossgiel Farm, where he wrote more than 9000 lines of his most famous works.
The bard drew inspiration from the village for some of his most famous works – including The Holy Fair, which lends its name to the modern- day festival.
Burns’ description of the scurrilous, bawdy, scandalous events of the 1788 Holy Fair caught the attention of the Scottish Kirk, forcing it to be reformed which in turn caused visitor numbers to dwindle.
The modern- day festival was born in 2002 when then president of Mauchline Burns Club, Andrew Cooper, first gave rise to the idea of a Burns Week Festival.
Over the years it has grown into the successful event it is today with visitors travelling from around the world to enjoy the atmosphere and entertainment.
This year’s Holy Fair gets under way as Ayr Pipe Band leave Mauchline Fire Station at 11am and march to the main stage where piper Stewart Allan officially opens the Fair.
Later on the main stage, music comes from Cumnock group Los Perros, rock outfit Memphis, singer- songwriter Matt Scott amongst others, before The Stumblers bring the curtain down at 4pm with their unique blend of Celtic folk and punk rock.
Other highlights of this year’s calendar include Ayr Pipe Band at 12 noon in Mauchline Parish Church after opening the festival, with Rae of Sunshine and school poetry winners taking to the church stage later that day.
And it isn’t just music and dance that will keep you entertained throughout the day, with even more activities throughout the village.
In and around the bleaching green you can enjoy more than 60 stalls, face painting and a display from History Matters with armour and weapons from days gone by.
Elsewhere, vintage tractors will be on display on Kilmarnock Road, Owl Magic show off in Mauchline Parish Church Kirkyard plus lots more in and around the village.
The committee said: “Mauchline Holy Fair Group are delighted to welcome you to the 2017 fair. We are confident this year’s event will be just as successful as previous years and all attending will enjoy all that the day has to offer.
“We would like to offer our sincere thanks to all volunteers and supporters of this event - volunteers who give up their time on the day to ensure the event runs smoothly and safely, businesses who have purchased advertising in our programme, stall who holders who participate in the vent and all who donate and attend fundraising ventures.”
Parking for the Holy Fair is free and can be found in the playing fields just off Barskimming Road.
For more information, and to view a full calendar of this year’s events, visit mauchlineholyfair.com.