Family fun Moy Country Fair returns near to Inverness next week
The highly anticipated Moy Country Fair returns next week.
Organisers have promised a “diverse range of activities, performances and exhibitors for all ages to enjoy”. The fair will also be focusing on the exceptional work of the RNLI throughout the two-day event.
Celebrating its 200th anniversary throughout 2024, the RNLI will have a strong presence at the Moy Country Fair this year with volunteers from a number of local lifeboat stations, including Invergordon, Loch Ness and Kessock, coming along to meet visitors.
This will include hosting a special lifejacket clinic to offer advice to the public from RNLI volunteers on how to maintain and safely check lifejackets before use.
Visitors will also be able to experience ‘float to live’ water safety demonstrations, pick up limited-edition RNLI souvenirs and meet the RNLI’s very own mascot, Stormy Stan, who will be making an appearance.
As ever, Moy Country Fair has an exciting lineup of activities, exhibitors and performers for visitors, young and old, to enjoy.
As well as the traditional main ring activities including Highland dancing, gundog handling and fishing demonstrations, pet parade and much-enjoyed terrier racing, the popular range of field sports will also be back from clay pigeon and musket shooting to the fly-fishing challenge.
The fair will also host the presentation of the first ever SGA Wild Salmon Conservation Award. The SGA Fishing Group has announced the inaugural award to recognise individuals and groups who are taking action to conserve wild salmon stocks, from managing invasive species to restoring key habitats.
The award will be presented by Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, during the fair on Friday, August 2.
For younger field-sports enthusiasts, the Junior MacNab Challenge is back. Hosted by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), the popular event invites children to participate in clay pigeon shooting, air rifle shooting and fly-fishing challenge.
Beyond the traditional events the fair is renowned for, Moy will see the return of axe-throwing and archery from A.C.E Target Sports and BMX stunts and tricks from Savage Skills.
For the foodies, there will be a Highland food and drink trail featuring nine street food vendors from the local area alongside live music acts throughout each day.
The food tent and cookery theatre will offer visitors a journey into Scotland’s larder, celebrating the very best produce from the local area.
Cookery presenter, Masterchef contestant and recipe writer, Na Hansell will be hosting a series of daily cookery demonstrations that are to be supported by local company, Bonk & Co.
James Campbell, chairman of the Moy Country Fair committee, said: “We are particularly proud to be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the RNLI across the fair. Water safety is something we always highlight, alongside the RNLI, so this is a great opportunity to raise awareness and inform our visitors.
“We are also delighted to be hosting the presentation of the inaugural SGA Wild Salmon Conservation Award, recognising the people working hard to boost salmon stocks in Scotland.”
Moy Country Fair is a non-profit event that looks to support a number of charitable causes each year. As well as the RNLI, multiple other charities will be in attendance, including: Adopt A Child, Gamekeepers Welfare Trust, Therapet, Lyme Disease UK, SCAA, Veterans Foundation, Unique Fundraising – Breast Cancer, Blythswood Care, Highland Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support, St John Scotland and Maggie’s Highland.
The event is from Friday, August 2, to Saturday, August 3 and tickets are now on sale, costing £17 per adult when pre-booking online, or £20 per adult at the gate on the day. All children aged under 16-years-old can access it for free.
For more information and the book tickets visit www.moyfieldsportsfair.co.uk.
