The biggest week of the year is fast approaching, with final preparations being made for Melrose Festival.
Taking place between Sunday, June 15, and Saturday, June 21, the highlights of the week are the ride-out on the Monday and the installation of the Melrosian, and crowning of the Festival Queen at the beautiful setting of Melrose Abbey on the Thursday.
This year it is Fraser Anderson who will proudly lead the celebrations, with Sam Thomson – right-hand man – and Graeme Crawford – left-hand man– by his side. Festival Queen is Charlie Hume.
As usual, the town will have a fairly busy week, with the main events being the ride-out on the Monday, the installation on Thursday, the ball on Friday and the Tour of Ceremonies and the sports on Saturday. The fancy dress is always popular on the Tuesday and last year the festival introduced a festival family barbecue following the bike ride on the Wednesday, which proved popular.
Organisers hope as many people in the Melrose and surrounding communities as possible come out and support the Melrosian and his Queen.
The official start of the festival programme is the laying of a wreath at the war memorial on Sunday morning, followed by the Kirkin’ of theMelrosian.
The five-a-side football will follow on Sunday afternoon.
On Monday, the ride-out leavesfrom the Greenyards at 6pm, with the concluding ceremony in the Market Square at 9.30pm.
The fancy dress kicks off in Gibson Park at 6.15pm on Tuesday, while the popular bike ride takes place at 6.30pm on Wednesday.
After the installation on Thursday, the Festival Ball takes place on Friday night. On Saturday, Fraser and his followers will carry out the Tour of the Ceremonies, leaving at 9am. The sports take place at 2.30pm, the pipe band will entertain from 7pm and the festival concludes with the annual dinner at 8pm.