LOCALS will see the whole of the moon at Aberdour Festival as organisers take one large step for the village.

This year’s 10-day community event begins today (Friday) with a range of activities and attractions for all ages.

The theme of ‘Space’ will be explored in the 36th year of the festival, with 2019 marking the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.

One of the main highlights is undoubtedly set to be the Cosmos Planetarium, which will send youngsters off to space to learn about astronauts, the International Space Station, the solar system and more.

Helen Pearson, chairperson, said: “We can’t wait to get started now. It’s been brilliant to organise with our committee doubling in size from last year.

“The Royal Party will be crowned to start the weekend’s fun and then the parade this year will be excellent as there will be aliens, rockets and everything space-related.

“The planetarium dome at the church hall will be very popular as kids love learning about space, and there will be astronaut suits for them to try on.

“We also have First Piano on the Moon, a show by Will Pickvance that takes everyone on a voyage to the moon via his piano-playing.”

There will be music from the Iona Fyfe, Coaltown Daisies, The Johnston Brothers and a talk on American soul from Stuart Cosgrove, a comedy night with Rick Molland, Stuart McPherson and others, as well as everything from scarecrows, a silent disco and and sandcastles to nerf wars, flowers and yoga.

Festival favourites such as the Donkey Brae run, the family ceilidh night and Zorb football will return, and a night of Mamma Mia fun will be had at Aberdour Primary School as the dancing queens of the village will be out in force in their flares to see Katie Brown and Kaye Fascone perform the film’s best-known tracks.

The Foresters Arms will have their Festival Big Bash, Cara Todd will give a one-woman performance and there will be a Songs of Praise event too.

There will be numerous taster sessions for sports such as shinty and tennis, while a graffiti workshop, combat archery and the chance to drive a Lego train are on offer.

After bad weather last year, the festival’s beach day, raft race and beach volleyball will make a comeback.

Helen said: “We’re hoping we’ll get good weather for that as well as all our other outdoor events, like the village market day. We’re focusing more on bringing the best of Aberdour together this year, with more venues taking part.

“We won’t have our marquee this year, although we all love it. It means we have more room to have more diverse events on the programme and showcase the other great spaces we have in the village.”

For more details on times and dates of events, as well as buying tickets, go to www.aberdourfestival.org.