THIS year’s Marymass Festival is promising music to suit every taste - with more than 300 musicians lined up to take part.

There will be brass bands and pipe bands, a big band and a jazz band, folk bands and samba bands, a community choir and some gargoyles from Gargunnock – and all of them will be at the annual Marymass Festival The number of musicians and singers appearing over the 12 days of Marymass will be somewhere in the region of 300-plus.

Opening on Thursday, August 13 and going right through until Monday, August 24, there’s a host of opportunities to hear good music and most of it will be free of charge.

All the details are in the Marymass brochure which is widely available throughout Irvine or else at the festival website www.marymassfestival.com.

Festival Chair Pat McPhee said: “It’s the Massed Pipes and Drums of Canada that are creating the stir this year. They went down so well before, that people know what to expect.

“The sight and sound of 100 pipers and drummers playing in the Marymass Parade will be something special – and that’s before you include the Irvine and District Pipe Band and all the other bands.” Among the bands also playing on Marymass Saturday will be Samba Ya Bamba. Playing mainly Brazilian rhythms, they have a massive drum section plus stomping brass and seemingly boundless energy.

A new venture this year is a night of big band music on Friday, August 14 with The Dave Anderson Big Band and guest singer Eddie Toal.

It’s a 16-piece band of exceptional ability and they just have to be heard.

The concert is at The Mure Church in West Road and tickets £8 are available from Joyce Hodge on 01294 551047.

Whilst the acoustics in The Mure are terrific, there are wooden pews – so be advised and take a cushion!

The 48th Marymass Folk Festival starts on Wednesday, August 19 and goes right through until Sunday, August 23.

Sessions in The Ship Inn, concerts in local Schools, a concert for senior citizens, an open stage plus two world championship events as well as three evening concerts all add up to a terrific Folk Festival.

There are a number of excellent musicians playing over the five days and among them are the legendary Arthur Johnstone and The Stars Band, Celine Donoghue and Neil Sturgeon and amazing Geordie fiddle player Tom McConville.

The highlight will as usual be the Marymass Saturday Night Concert on August 22.

Headlining the concert are Na Leanai – four dynamic and gifted Irish musicians who also do excellent harmonies.

And what’s more, their musical pedigree is out of the top drawer as they are children of the internationally acclaimed Sands Family.

All Folk Festival tickets and info on www.irvinefolkclub.org.uk or phone Joyce on 10294 551047.

The New Orleans Joymakers – who are one of Scotland’s leading traditional Jazz bands – are playing at the Harbour Festival on August 15 and in concert at The Harbour Arts Centre on Sunday, August 23.

All the music and pomp, pageantry and fun starts on Thursday, August 13 when Irvine and Dreghorn Brass play at the Festival Opening Ceremony in the Bridgegate.

And there’s not been a mention yet of Sumwummin’drummin’ or the Ayrshire Infinity Choir.

And as for the Gargoyles of Gargunnock, you’ll just have to go along and find out on Marymass Saturday, August 22.

Don’t miss it.