TAMFEST returns to Ayr Town Centre this weekend and is set to be the best yet.

Making a return for its fourth consecutive year, Ayrshire’s premiere family Hallowe’en festival continues to grow with a frighteningly good line up and best of all its FREE.

Steeped in heritage by the apocryphal Tam O’Shanter poem written by the town’s own Robert Burns, the festival plays host to a variety of events for all ages.

The Tamfest celebration captures the imagination and enchants audiences to interact with all the famous characters from Robert Burns’ famous poem, Tam O’Shanter, and all in the centre of Ayr’s High Street.

This year, with over 70 acts, the festival promises not to disappoint with X-Factor star Ryan Lawrie and The Voice’s Craig Ward performing on the main Cutty Sark stage.

Not only that but a host of street performers such as fire-breathers,stilt walkers and sword swallowers will grace the town centre streets creating a spell bounding atmosphere for the locals.

And not to forget the most ghoulish and ghastly Day O’ The Deid procession there has ever been.

Members of the public have been hard at work getting props, banners and skeletons ready in time for the procession taking place on the Sunday October 28.

Expect witches, goblins and more than a few skeletons for the finale, leaving from Arran Hall, the ‘Day O the Deid’ procession will make its way down to the bottom of High Street where a glow in the dark Ceilidh willtake place until 5.15pm.

In the Kyle Centre, the workshops with children’s author Alan Dupre are sure to be a big hit along with Punch & Judy, face painting and music.

For the first time ever, the Ayrshire Women’s Hub will celebrate Tamfest with dancing, stories and songs from some talented young performers.

The festival was created in 2015 by a coalition of local businesses, council representatives and cultural bodies with the goal of increasing visitor numbers to Ayr to provide “places that offer unique retail, cultural, social experiences”.

Councillor Brian McGinley, Economic Development, Tourism and Leisure Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council said: “Tamfest grows year-on- year and the festival is already a firm favourite with locals and visitors.

It’s a real community effort with schools, dance groups and the wider public all joining in to make the event possible.

“Not only does the festival celebrate Ayr’s close association with the famous bard, it boosts the local economy and brings people back into the heart of the town which is a key ambition as we work on the continuing regeneration of Ayr Town Centre.”

Tamfest is a festival unlike any other. Each year the Tamfest Team choose a specific line from the epic poem as the sub-theme to keep the festival fresh and offer new insight into the characters and explore the story of the Tam O’Shanter. Tamfest 2018will be the biggest year yet for the festival and organisers have chosen the bewitching Cutty Sark as the theme. The infamous dancing witch will be at the centre of the festival this year.

Meredith McCrindle, Chair and Lead Producer at TamFest, said: “There’s nothing like TamFest in Ayrshire. The event seamlessly combines the traditions of Halloween with Robert Burns’ ghostly tale. We believe that celebrating our past will bring a stronger future for our town.”

Tamfest gets underway this coming Saturday and continues until early evening on Sunday, its sure to be Spooktacular!