THE biggest event on Mauchline's social calendar is just a few days away.

The Holy Fair is expected to bring around 14,000 people to the town this Saturday, May 27.

The opening ceremony for this year's event starts at 11am at the main stage area behind the Fairburn.

Musical performances, market stalls, food stalls and all other kinds of entertainment will be available throughout the day.

After the opening, the programme of entertainment on the main stage will include the following.

11.25am: EPIC Pipe Band

11.55am DCB Dance Company

12.20pn: Sophie Dance School

12.45pm: Bob Dylan Tribute

1.30pm: Jeremey Levif

2.20pm: Changing Faces

3,.10pm: Nicholas McDonald

3.55pm: Highway Band.

There will be fantastic performances by the Burns Bachelors on the Nance Tinnock Stage throughout the day.

Mauchline Parish Church will also play host to live entertainment throughout the day, with the programme at the church as follows.

Noon: Children's Poetry

12.30pm: Crossroads Choir

1pm Poetry from Jimmy Law

2pm: Malcolm Ray Billy

2,.30pm: Billy and Lindon

3.15pm: Beatrice Clark

3.45pm: True Colours

The volunteers behind the day are delighted to be welcoming the public back to Mauchline again, following on from last year's successful return after Covid.

Margaret Paton, the group's lead fund-raiser, said: "So many people put in so much work to making sure this days goes ahead as planned.

"There's an awful lot of work that goes into making sure we have the funds for all the magnificent acts and stalls, and everything else that goes on during the day.

"The Holy Fair brings so much joy to so many people, and we're really hopeful that the same huge number of people can join us this year again.

"I think last year people missed the event because of what we'd all been through.

"This year I think people are still going through a lot of difficult stuff, so it can be a great day out and there will be something for everyone to enjoy."

As part of their fund-raising goals towards the fair, the Mauchline Holy Fair Committee recently secured funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.

There will be various road closures on place for the big event on Saturday.

Castle Street, Cowgate and the Loudoun Street car park will all be closed from midnight on May 27 until 11.59pm on May 27.

Waiting restrictions will be in place in the following locations: 

High Street from the A76 to the Mansefield Road junction (both sides);

Loudoun Street from the A76 junction to 20 metres south of Barskimming Road; 

Cowgate - full length, both sides;

Castle Street - full length, both sides;

Loudoun Street - car park.

Emergency services access will not be affected and access for residents, deliveries and pedestrians’ out-with the working zone will be maintained.

More information about the day, and how you can get involved, is available on the 'Mauchline Holy Fair' page on Facebook.