| Where: | Loanhead, Midlothian at Fountain Green and the Memorial Park |
| When: | 4th Saturday in June (or sometimes the 3rd Saturday) |
| Time: | 10.30 am onwards |
Children’s Day at Loanhead is a gala event which has been well established for over a century and is the oldest event of its kind in the district. The main event is held on the fourth Saturday in June with a varied programme of activities leading up to it including a parade of floats, sports and entertainments. The Crowning Ceremony itself is held at Fountain Green in the centre of town – the Queen is accompanied by a plethora of up to about 90 lavishly costumed attendants including a herald, champion and ladies and gentlemen in waiting. It’s a tradition that all the Court attendants should decorate their houses so watch out for homes bedecked with flowers and ribbons – the best decorated receive prizes.The coronation is followed by the Grand Procession with massed bands, which is reckoned to be the biggest parade in Midlothian, wreath-laying at the War Memorial and in the afternoon there’s a programme of entertainment in the Memorial Park.
Helpful Hints
In 2024 it should be on Saturday 22nd June (check links below for details).
This website has no connection to the organisation of the event and any inquiries regarding it should be made through the official Facebook page (link below).
The full programme of events will be on the excellent website (see below). For a full history of the event, read Alan Mclaren’s well illustrated “The History of Midlothian’s Local Festivals” which is also available through the website.
Click here for the event Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1521705831462674/about/
Photo by bigbahookie.
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Can you let us when the gala day is this web site says 27th june but Anne’s notification says 20th thank you
Hi Margaret,
Thanks for your message – Gala Day is normally the 4th Saturday in the month but in 2020 it’s been moved to the 20th ( the 3rd Saturday in June) to coincide with the school holidays. I’m pleased you drew this to my attention in plenty of time (I put the usual date on my website before the official announcement had been made about the change to the usual dating formula)
Best wishes,
Averil
Hi
I was just wondering if the gala day is still provisionally booked in for sat 5th September?? And when do you think that there will be a confirmation that this is able to go ahead.
Sorry to ask
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your message- here at calendarcustoms we’re not connected at all to the organisation of the Gala day, it’s just one of many events listed on the site so sadly I haven’t any inside information to share with you! I found the provisional date on the organisers’ official Facebook page (post dated 18th March and scroll down the Discussion section to find it). There haven’t been any updates since then (I just checked) and their website is out of action so I’m afraid I can’t help, as I don’t know when they’ll need to make the decision on whether or not to go ahead.I’d keep checking the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1521705831462674/ as I expect that will be the first place to share the news. Sorry I can’t be more help!
Averil