Organisers of one of the biggest galas in the north-east are on a mission this year to make sure everyone can enjoy the fun.
The Mintlaw Gala fun day takes place on Saturday and the committee has made it a priority to make the event an affordable family day out.
Nothing at the gala will cost more than £1 and the stalls are reverting to the traditional games and activities of events in past years.
The change comes as new chairwoman Karin McGivern takes the helm.
It has been just five months since she was recruited to the team, but given the theme of affordability, she is confident the event will welcome visitors from all walks of life.
Miss McGivern said: “We’ve kept the prices of everything low – nothing will cost more than £1 to take part in, including food.
“Everyone knows that when you go to events like the gala, if you give your child £5 they come back in a few minutes cause they’ve spent a few pounds on a burger and been on the bouncy castle and have nothing left.
“For families who have, say eight children, this will save a fortune.
“Going to any event with children can easily become expensive and we’ve such a wide and diverse community here that we don’t want to exclude anyone who hasn’t a lot to spend.
“So we’re going back to the traditional and it’s more about the affordable fun for the family rather than a spending spree.”
The committee is also hoping a different approach to what’s on offer may bring in more people.
Miss McGivern added: “There’s a gala event in Mintlaw every year, but there are a lot of galas diverting from the traditional route, bringing in people selling things and it becomes really expensive for a family.
“We’re trying to include the whole community and go back to what a gala used to be like with things like hoopla, a coconut shy and all of the things that used to be there, but have become a bit forgotten about.
“The previous committee has done a lot of work and we’ve had an excellent base to grow from, so it’s exciting knowing it’s so close.”
Saturday’s fun day will be in the public park and starts at noon.
The gala weekend officially starts on Friday with a primary school disco, the Phillip Eddie memorial football match and an under-18s disco.
