THE clock is ticking down to one of the biggest and most popular community events of the year on the Rosneath peninsula.

The Cove and Kilcreggan Real Ale and Cider Festival will bring top-notch beer, music and food to Cove Burgh Hall for its 20th anniversary event.

The festival will take place on Saturday, September 23 and will start at midday.

This year’s festival will not have a theme - something which the organisers are blaming on not being able to think of one! - but will feature a wider range of ciders than in the past.

Scottish, English, and Welsh ales will be on offer with a list of distributors set to follow in the coming weeks.

A spokesperson said: “For the 20th festival we chosen a selection of English, Scottish and Welsh ales, with local ales from Lomond brewery and No Limits.

“After the popularity at last year’s festival, we will be featuring more ciders than previously.

“As a departure from our previous festivals, we have taken the decision to copy other ale festivals by not having a theme (i.e., no-one could think of one!), so we will offer beer, cider, music and food - what more could you ask for?

“We will do our best to organise some decent weather for the event but no promises.

“Once the distributors confirm the availability of the ales we have selected, we may even publish a list before the event, keep an eye out.

“I am really looking forward to the day, the happy faces, the cider and the ales, not to mention the music!”

Wine and soft drinks will also be on sale with the Café at Kilcreggan supplying food and another vendor offering pizzas.

Local musicians including Joe Quin and Rob Ryan will be providing entertainment for the day.

Tickets include entrance, a beer glass and two tokens – with one token equalling a half pint - and will be on sale until midday on Friday, September 22.

Tickets can be purchased at the festival's dedicated page at www.coveburghhall.uk.