IT'S that time of year again when culture lovers from all over descend on Lochwinnoch for the annual arts festival. 

More than 40 events have been lined up, spanning theatre, music, comedy, and exhibitions for the festival taking place from Wednesday, March 13, until Sunday, March 24.  

READ MORE: All roads lead to Lochwinnoch as Arts Festival makes welcome return

While there is so much on offer, here are some of the acts we think you shouldn't miss. 

Fara 

The Gazette: Fara will bring their unique sound to the festival Fara will bring their unique sound to the festival

One of the headline acts of this year's festival, Orcadian folk quartet Fara will bring their fiery sound to Renfrewshire. 

Inspired by their upbringing among the music of Orkney, the group was nominated for a BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards’ Horizon Award after their 2016 debut album, Cross the Line. The four contrasting personalities and individual musical voices in Fara, make for a colourful melting pot – each member brings a different musical pallet to the table. 

They will be appearing alongside Capercaillie lead singer Karen Matheson at the McKillop Institute on Saturday, March 16, from 7.30pm.

Alan Bissett

The Gazette: The Moira Monologues are not to be missed The Moira Monologues are not to be missed

Lochwinnoch's prodigal son will return to the village for a special double bill of his award-winning Moira Monologues. 

Moira Bell, is a cleaner, single mother, and the hardest woman in Falkirk. Whether defending her wee dog Pepe from the local rottweiler, attempting to seduce a teacher, or belting out Diana Ross for the Scotia karaoke night, Moira is hilarious, hypnotic, frightening and heart-warming company.

Alan's hilarious show will be taking place at the McKillop Institute from 7.30pm on Thursday, March 14. 

World Scone Making Championships 

The Gazette: Guests are sure to be in for a scone-tastic time Guests are sure to be in for a scone-tastic time

If you fancy something a little different, then you should get yourself along to the special baking competition. 

Scone-noisseurs from all over the world will head to Lochwinnoch to try and win the coveted title. After a successful debut edition in 2018, the competition will be part of the Arts Festival for the first time this year. 

Mhairi Black MP and Lochwinnoch Community Council chairman David Arthur are just two of the judges bakers need to impress.

The World Scone Making Championships takes place on Sunday, March 17, at 3pm in the McKillop Institute.

Badger and the Mystical Mutt

The Gazette: Badger will be bringing his shenanigans to the festival Badger will be bringing his shenanigans to the festival

For the young and the young at heart, Badger, the star of a chart-topping illustrated children's book series, is not to be missed. 

With high fives, high paws and live magic, you can be sure that Badger will enjoy showing off and wagging his tail during the Lochwinnoch Arts Festival.

The canine will be at the McKillop Institute on Tuesday, March 19, from 1.30pm for a special show with the boys and girls of Lochwinnoch Primary School. 

Jeff Zycinski 

The Gazette: The former head of BBC Radio in Scotland will be talking about his explosive new book The former head of BBC Radio in Scotland will be talking about his explosive new book

Jeff Zycinski came face-to-face with Prime Ministers, Princesses, and Hollywood actors, and now he is set to reveal all in his explosive new memoir, the Red Light Zone. 

The former head of BBC Radio in Scotland will head to the festival to give readers a taste of what to expect from the book; which includes telling Princess Anne where exactly to get off if she needed to take the bus to Govan. 

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You can catch Jeff in the McKillop Institute from 10.30am on Saturday, March 16. 

For a full list of events and more information, visit the event's website.