Huntly Spring Festival to bring Coronation weekend excitement
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A COMMUNITY festival in the heart of Huntly is provide "something for everybody" this Coronation weekend.
Huntly Crafters and Huntly Farmers' Market are joining a host of other community groups for the Saturday, May 6 event, which will feature live music, dance, food and drink, unique crafts and family activities.
The Huntly Spring Festival will also see an extended monthly market in The Square, running from 10am to 3pm, rather than 9am to 1pm, and featuring around 30 stalls.
New Farmer's Market coordinator Kay Thomson said: "The farmer's market in Huntly been established for many, many years, and this is an extended version of that.
"It will showcasing the best of crafters, food and drink all together in this little hub.
"I'm really looking forward to showcasing what Huntly markets do so well each month."
Ms Thomson said an extended market, which will feature TV screens playing Coronation coverage and bunting, was the perfect way to mark the Coronation of King Charles III.
"The Coronation gave us an opportunity to showcase what the monthly market does anyway," she said.
"It is a super chance for people to gather, be part of the community again and catch up with people you haven't seen lately.
"It's lovely that each community is doing something a little bit different to mark the Coronation and I think Huntly is going to love what we have planned."
Local crafters will kick off the festival at 9.30am, with the public being invited to browse their quality creations in The Stewart's Hall, and will continue until 2.30pm.
Huntly and District Pipe Band will mark their 75th anniversary at the Spring Festival, with an 11.30am march from Market Muir to The Square.
The Jessiman Dance School, led by Patricia-Ann Raeburn, will take centre-stage at 12pm ahead of a 12.30pm set from the Strathbogie Fiddlers.
Then, after a 1pm performance by the Brenda Gordon School of Dance, the pipe band will light up The Square with another performance at 1.30pm.
Local theatre company Aurora Productions will be at the festival dressed as Addams Family, in support of their upcoming show.
In the Brander Building, the Tourism Hub will be open and, upstairs, library staff will be holding crown-making workshops for kids looking to get in the spirit.
Arts organisation Deveron Projects, based at Square Deal, will also be taking part and engaging the public in their work.
The event has also been set up through cooperation with Huntly Community Council and other community groups.
Ms Thomson, who has experience in community markets gained by creating The Foggie Neuk farmer's market in Aberchirder, said she was keen to engage other groups.
She said: "We're trying to get everybody in and around the Square involved."
"There's are quite a few much-loved stall holders who will be there, so people won't be short of somewhere to go get your lunch.
"There will be plenty to do and something for everybody."
