Fife’s tattie-picking heritage has shaped Spudfest - a new festival to launch £20million fund

Spudfest will take place at Buckhaven Shore on Saturday, October 10, offering a free afternoon and evening of food, live entertainment and family fun before culminating in a spectacular fireworks display.

The event will run from 3:00pm to 8:00pm, with everything completely free, including food, live music, a silent disco, family games and a fire show as the sun goes down.

Liz Easton, chair of the Methil and Buckhaven Pride in Place Board, said: “We’re launching this fund with an absolute banger of a festival and, to make sure nobody misses out, absolutely everything is free - the food, live music from local bands, silent disco, family games and a brilliant fire show as the sun goes down.

“Many young people probably don’t realise that the October holidays in Fife traditionally marked the start of the tattie harvest. We’re paying homage to that tradition by making spuds the theme, so expect free steaming-hot baked potatoes, stovies, soup and plenty of tattie-inspired antics!”

Two marquees will be erected at Buckhaven Shore to ensure the festival can go ahead whatever the weather.

The event has been organised by the Pride in Place Board in just six weeks, with local businesses, organisations and community groups rallying behind the event.

Stuart’s the Bakers is donating 300 portions of stovies, while Kettle Produce has donated half a tonne of potatoes, along with carrots and turnip. Buckhaven Bowling Club is providing the use of its kitchen, while Buckhaven Baptist Church is donating fridge space.

The entertainment line-up includes local bands We Cry Wolf, Burn The Maps and Aiesha Hunter, while activities will include Beat the Goalie courtesy of East Fife FC, Build a Mr Potato Head, sack races and much more.

Liz said: “Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who has donated or offered their services for free. It’s no exaggeration to say the board has bust a gut to get this event off the ground at such short notice — they’re an amazing bunch.

“This is just the start, and it’s already really exciting.”

Spudfest is being funded through the £20 million Pride in Place fund secured from the UK Government by local MP Richard Baker earlier this year.

The fund will provide £2 million a year for ten years to support improvements across Methil, Methilhill and Buckhaven. The first annual payment is expected to be released to the board in the coming months, following submission of its spending plan to the Scottish Office.

A major community consultation is already underway across the area to identify the improvements residents want to see included in that spending plan.

Liz added: “The beauty of this festival is that it has been made possible by the community — just like the Pride in Place fund itself.

“It’s about bringing us all together in the way we know how to do it best — with music, laughter, shared food and a whole lot of pride.

“Join in, have your say and feel part of something bigger.

“No tickets. No cost. Just community.”

For updates on Spudfest and more information about the Pride in Place fund, follow Pride in Place Buckhaven, Methil and Methilhill on Facebook