Dunbar Civic Week 2023: What’s on during this year’s event

The annual celebration dates back to 1970 and returns from Saturday, as people from throughout Dunbar are urged to come together and celebrate the community.

Dozens of events have been planned by the hard-working team of volunteers who are toasting the summer.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Civic Week is a celebration of our wonderful, growing community and an entertaining programme of events is put on by various community groups.

“These events reflect and celebrate the richness of our community life – its history, culture and people – and provide opportunities for people to come together and have some fun.

“We are running a competition for the best dressed individuals with a chance to win one of three sets of East Links Family Park passes at the fun day.

“There is no theme, just dress to impress and you will be in with a chance to win!”

Parade and crowning

The celebrations, which run until next Sunday (June 18), open on Saturday with the annual parade.

Dunbar Royal British Legion Pipe Band will lead the parade from outside Dunbar Leisure Pool at 11.30am, followed by the royal court being carried in Dunbar Coastal Rowing Club’s skiffs.

If it is not blowing a gale, keep an eye out for a larger-than-life John Muir making an appearance.

The opening parade is followed by the crowning of the new Dunbar Civic Week Queen at the town’s Bleachingfield Park from noon.

Outgoing Civic Queen Bella Firstbrook will pass the crown to Makayla Blyth and her royal court.

The fun day then starts at 12.30pm and features performances from the Dunbar School of Dance, Aine Hay Academy of Irish Dance and Dance Discovery.

There will also be slime workshops, face painting, bouncy castles and much more on offer, as well as refreshments.

Later that evening, there is a special comedy night in Dunbar Royal British Legion.

Lots more on

The fun continues into Sunday as Belhaven Smokehouse offers children’s workshops, while an afternoon of “fantastic food, drink and funky summer vibes” is on offer at Lauderdale Park.

The Salty Sisters take a dip at Belhaven Bay on Monday to raise money for Cancer Research UK, while Dunbar Community Council holds its annual awards ceremony.

The European Land Art Festival is also hosting a stone stacking workshop on Monday afternoon at Bayswell Beach.

On the same day, East Lothian Countryside Rangers are hosting a fossil hunt. Anyone interested in attending should meet at Whitesands Car Park; to book a place, email [email protected]

Friends of Winterfield welcomes people to its annual general meeting in the park on Tuesday, while there is a chance to try pétanque on Wednesday.

Belhaven Guides are also hosting a beetle drive in Belhaven Church Hall, while West Barns Bowling Club is offering people the chance to head along and enjoy the popular sport.

Next Thursday (June 15), a fossil walk takes place at Barns Ness, while there is a camera skills and photography workshop with Grahame Smith, of GWS Photography.

Next Friday (June 16) brings the chance to enjoy a social cycle to North Berwick or to take in the music of the 1990s, with A Kick Up The ’90s event taking place at Dunbar Parish Church Hall.

The Dunbar Arts Landscape Artist of the Year competition takes place next Saturday (June 17), as well as well as a quiz at Dunbar Bowling Club.

Service to end the week

Dunbar United Colts are also holding a football festival at Hallhill Sports Centre, with refreshments also on offer.

Dunbar Cricket Club is also offering people the chance to try the sport at Winterfield Park, while family fun is promised at Belhaven Community Garden.

Finally, next Sunday (June 18), the curtain comes down with a thanksgiving service at Dunbar Battery.

There are also a range of activities ongoing throughout the week.

Dunbar Town House and Museum has a display from Dunbar & District History Society. The exhibition ‘Up Our Street’ covers the story of some of the well-known and long-standing traders from the town’s past.

The exhibition is in support of the Dunbar Trades’ Association’s (DTA) 75th anniversary. It opens on Saturday and continues throughout the year.

DTA will also be running a ‘Spot the Malarkey’ competition, where people are encouraged to look in shop windows to see if they can spot an item of nonsense.

That could be a loaf of bread in a hairdressers’ window or some sweets at the sports shop.

Go to dunbarcivicweek.org.uk for a full programme and timings for all events taking place during the course of Dunbar Civic Week.