Marymass Fair, Irvine - Saturday 26th August 2017.

The Lord-Lieutenant and Mrs Duncan were guests at the Marymass Fair in Irvine on Saturday 26th August 2017.
The Marymass Fair began during the twelfth century and the name came from the Christian feast of the Assumption (when Mary ascended into heaven) – since the beginning there has always been a parade featuring a Marymass Queen.  Over the festival period there are many concerts, exhibitions, talks, competitions, entertainments including fireworks and a funfair. The fair lasts twelve days in August and the main day is the second Saturday, known as Marymass Day or Traditions Day.  In 1563 Mary Queen of Scots visited Irvine and ever since the parade has featured this Queen with her “Four Maries” and pages (the Four Maries were the Queen’s companions who all shared her christian name).
The Lord-Lieutenant and Mrs Duncan are pictured below with guests from Voisins –le- Bretonneux , France. Voisins –le- Bretonneux is located in the south western suburbs of Paris and is twinned with Irvine.