The organiser of Elgin’s popular MacMoray Festival is set to team up with Forres Mechanics Football Club to bring a new summer event to Forres in 2024. Andy Macdonald, who lives in the town, is teaming up with Can-Cans fundraiser Sandy Aird to bring a brand-new musical festival – Forres Family Fest – to Mosset Park on June 29, 2024.

The festival, which will raise funds for Forres Mechanics, is set to attract well-known Scottish musicians, will have an outdoor stage, a large bar, various stalls and fun fairs for youngsters. Andy, who set up MacMoray in 2022, said: “I love what Forres Mechanics do for the town and I cannot wait to work on my latest project with them. Staying in Forres now, it felt right to get behind this.

“We will have some great artists to announce and I know this event will be something for the locals and visitors to be extremely excited about. We are raising money to help support Forres Mechanics, while at the same time keeping our prices as cheap as we can. I strongly believe the people of Forres and Moray will enjoy what we have lined up, as well as how cheap our prices will be.”

Sandy Aird is the brains behind the idea from Forres Mechanics’ point of view, having been the club’s fundraiser for the last three years. He is delighted to have Andy on board and hopes locals will get on board with the new event.

“We had been coming up with different ideas, and doing smaller things to raise £1000, £2000 or £3000. Then I came up with the idea of a music festival. Nobody was keen me doing it myself,” he joked. “So I got in touch with Andy to see if he would give some advice and he said he would come on board. It’s a first, that’s for sure. It will be great, not just for the club but for the town. Hopefully people get excited about it.” – Sandy Aire.

The first band is set to be announced on Wednesday, November 8, with tickets to go on sale on Friday, November 10. Tickets will be selling online and via 01309 679613 for £20 for adults, with tickets for under 12s available much cheaper. Announcements will first be available in the Forres Gazette. A new Facebook page www.facebook.com/ForresFest  has also been set up for updates and information. Local businesses interested in sponsoring the event can get in touch with Andy Macdonald at andy@ybdmusic.com