PREPARATIONS are underway in Peebles for the Red Letter Day celebrations on Saturday.

Only early risers will manage to bag a seat as the crowds gather to watch the crowning of the other pivotal figure of the festival: this year's Beltane Queen, 12-year-old Emily Carrick-Anderson from Priorsford Primary School.

The role will be performed by the Crowning Lady Jan Gordon and the newly-crowned Queen will be supported by her court consisting of children from the three Peebles Primary Schools.

The official ceremonies come to a close with the Beating Of The Retreat on Saturday evening - but the festivities aren't over by any means, as revellers will continue to celebrate way into the night.

Here's the planned timetable of events...

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

7.45am: Beltane Rideout - Riders assemble at South Parks Industrial Estate

8.30am: Cornet's Mounted Followers Ride - Organised by the Peebles March Riders' Association, departs and returns to join the Grand Procession at the foot of Springhill (approx 11.35am)

9.15am: Proclamation of the Beltane Fair - Simultaneously, the Official Party will have assembled at the Proclamation of the historic Beltane Fair will take place. The chairman of the Beltane Festival will present the Cornet's Medal. The Official Party and Guest will then view the Children's Procession which passes on to, and along the High Street to take their places on the steps of the Parish Church.

9.40am: After the procession has passed, the Cornet and his Supporters, accompanied by the Massed Bands, lead the Official Party and Guests along High Street to the Old Parish Church.

10.00am: The Crowning Lady performs the Crowning of the Beltane Queen, followed by the Proclamation of the Beltane Queen's Royal Will and Command. Bracelets are presented to the Beltane Queen and Chief Maid of Honour. The First Courtier and Second Courtier receive Medals. The Beltane Queens Bouquet is presented to the Crowning Lady. The Cornet and Supporters will advance to salute the Beltane Queen. After, the Queen and her Court, plus the Official Party, and the children depart to prepare for the Grand Procession. While the children embark on the decorated floats, the Cornet and Supporters escort the Official Party, including Queen's and Maids' carriages, round the south side of the town, during which the Burgh Bounds are proclaimed.

11.45am: The Grand Procession - The Cornet and his Supporters, with the Mounted Followers and Peebles Burgh Silver Band, lead the Grand Procession of the Official Party and Guests. The Beltane Queen, her Maids and Pages, the Courtiers, Standard Bearer and Heralds, and the long line of decorated lorries conveying the costumed children (the Characters of the Beltane Festival) - interspersed with many visiting pipe and silver bands, around the town during which the Burgh Bounds and Rights of Way are proclaimed.

1.15pm (approx): Service of Remembrance - Immediately after the Grand Procession has passed, the Beltane Queen and Court gather with the Official Party and Guests retire to the Chambers Quadrangle, where a Service of Remembrance takes place at the County War Memorial. Wreaths are placed at the War Memorial by the Beltane Queen, the Cornet, the Crowning Lady, the Warden of Neidpath and the Chairman of the Beltane Festival Committee.  The Official Party and the Beltane Queen, Courtiers, Chief Maid and Guests thereafter depart for the official luncheon, at which the Chairman of the Peebles March Riding and Beltane Queen Festival Committee presides. At the Luncheon, the Chairman presents the Crowning Lady and Warden of Neidpath with Commemorative Plaques and a Brooch is presented to the Cornet's Lass.

7.00pm: Beating Retreat - A band or bands Beat Retreat on Peebles High Street, in the presence of the Official Party. The salute will be taken by the Chairman of Peebles March Riding and Beltane Queen.