This year, for the first time, there will be an Americana theme including an Elvis tribute act, Danny Allan as well as Wild West Shows, Classic American Cars, Film, and a great line up of music throughout the two days of the event on August 1 and 2, Organiser Catherine Maxwell Stuart said: “We may not be opening the Bear Gates just yet for this 'king’ but we can promise a sensational weekend of entertainment for all ages. There has been a great response already to the event and the Americana theme has touched a chord with many – who can resist cowboys, country, cajun food and cheerleaders? “ With outdoor spectacles, music, theatre, film, dance and workshops for all ages this is one of Scotland’s best loved family events and there is a packed programme to cater for every taste Highlights will include Martell’s Raiders, with shows including whip cracking, gun fights, fast draw and other stunning feats. In a slightly more tongue-in-cheek vein, the hilarious Calamity Jane will be presenting her own show. including her own line in lasso line dancing!

On them music stage in the old walled garden there will be music until 7pm with 11 bands over two days from Scotland and the USA. Featuring country, blues, soul and Celtic Americana they include New York based Curtis Eller’s American Circus one of the quirkiest banjo players in the country.

Brooks Williams, a singer songwriter – ranked as one of the US top 100 acoustic guitarists - is coming from Georgia. And Scotland’s Dean Owens & The Whisky Hearts – one of the country’s most acclaimed and established singer songwriters described as Celtic Americana with a rocky pop edge. There will also be Edinburgh-based choir, Got Soul; Foot stomping music and soaring harmonies from Glasgow based rootsy band, The Chaplins. and great blues music from eight-piece band, Blueswater. Edinburghbased soul kings Rising Souls, and Borders’ based country favourites The Frequent Flyers with Kathy Stewart complete the line up..

In the courtyard there will be traditional Appalachian clog dance, storytelling, as well as a new show from the award- winning Two Faced Dance Company who will be presenting Kapow a high octane family show starring Batman, Superman and Spiderman coming to terms with modern day life. And an Americana theme would not be complete with some professional cheerleaders from Elite Pro Dance.

For children, there will be top quality entertainment for younger and older ones with theatre and puppet shows including the Latin American inspired puppets from Cusan Theatre, Macastory with some American inspired tales, Mr Boom, arts and circus workshops, street theatre, swing boats, face painting, fairy wings and a range of other activities including the Rodeo Bull!

Out in front of the house there will be a display of classic American cars and motorbikes and up in the house a showing of some classic American films.

As well as the entertainment there will be crafts, fantastic foods from around the world, local food producers and workshops for all to participate in, including felt making, stone carving, green wood working as well of course, how to lasso!

For further details of the programme go to www.traquairfair.co.uk