Organisers of one of the most anticipated traditional music events in Moray have decided to ‘go big’ in celebration of their 40th festival in June.
The Keith Traditional Music & Song Association (TMSA) Festival has gained in strength and reputation year on year since it was first established in 1976. Concerts, ceilidhs, dancing and competitions are held throughout Keith during the festival, which this year will run from June 12 to 14.
Ahead of the event this year organisers are also looking for any photos or memorabilia that members of the public have from the past 39 Festivals – these will be used to create a display during the week before the event.
Any items can be e-mailed to keithfestival@gmail.com or handed in to The Banffshire Herald, with owners asked to ensure they enclose their name and address so that submissions can be returned to them.
Festival Chair Kathleen Anderson said: “We are very excited about the 40th Festival and have a fantastic list of guest artists. It will be a great mix of singers and musicians, experience and youth.
“We are extremely grateful to Alex Grant & Co for helping us to get Blazin’ Fiddles to the Festival and we know that they will be a great draw for many people.
“It is great that the Festival has managed to reach this milestone and it is testament to all the past and present committee members, volunteers, performers, audiences and sponsors that we have managed to get here.
“I’m sure that many folk will have photos, posters, programmes or other memorabilia and we would love to see it for a special 40th Festival Display.
“We hope folk will block off the weekend to ensure that they can come along for what will undoubtedly be a fantastic weekend of music and song.”
Blazin’ Fiddles are a group of the hottest contemporary fiddle players from the Highlands & Islands mixed with keyboard and guitar playing. The band consists of three BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year winners alongside a Scottish Traditional Award winner and the presenter of BBC Scotland’s programme ‘Travelling Folk’.
A full list of guest artists has been finalised and is available on the Festival’s website.