Sound Bites Festival - 2025

🗓 22nd March
🕚 11AM-5.30PM
📍 Alloa High Street
Sound Bites is a celebration of local talent, music and food, featuring live entertainment, cooking demos, stalls and children’s activities right here in Alloa. The event is free and we welcome people of all ages. Find out more information including the running order below.

Chef's Corner

Learn how to make the perfect paella and macaroons with Chef Billy Campbell’s masterclasses. You’ll be treated to demonstrations and get all the top tips straight from the man himself! The soup masterclass isn’t to be missed either, hosted by Chef Jean Michel who is going to teach us a mouthwatering French soup dish.

Both Chefs also be holding a Q&A session later on, so if you’re having trouble getting those Yorkshire puddings to rise or looking for tips on making the best gravy, come along and ask the masters!

Competitions

Omelette Challenge

It’s a simple dish. Anyone can make it, but there can only be one winner! Come and take part if you’re confident in your omelette skills.

Cream Cracker Challenge (adults)

Compete to see who can eat 3 crackers in the quickest time. The clock’s ticking! Who will be crowned the Cracker Champ? 👑

Jaffa Cake Challenge (kids)

Race against the clock to see who can eat the most Jaffa Cakes in one minute. Water is allowed for this challenge, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy!

Live entertainment

We’ll have live entertainment starting at 11am at the top of the High Street. Look out for these local acts who are sure to get you dancing:

Saltire Steel Band

Alloa Academy

Sauchie Community Choir

Park Primary Singers

Lochies School Makaton Choir

Taylor Swift Tribute

20 Food Stalls

You’ll find plenty of delicious treats and street food to try on the High Street, from smoked salmon and venison to chutney and tempting cakes! Have a browse and see what gems you can discover and pop into the local businesses afterwards.

Stalls will include:

  • Saltrock Brewing – Craft beer
  • Specialist Craft Spirits – A selection of alcoholic beverages
  • Aberdour Jams and Chutneys – A range of homemade jams and chutneys
  • QBee Rustique CookieDot – Vegan and gluten free cakes and savouries
  • The Cake Bank – Cupcakes, loaded brownies, loaf cakes and more
  • Saline sweet treats – Homemade treats
  • Thistle Dubh – Food related gifts
  • Ann Crafted – Mustard, fruit vinegars, jams, marmalades, chutneys, honey, cakes and blondies
  • Harley’s American Donuts – Authentic yeast raised donuts
  • Lothian Pure Bees – A variety of products using beeswax
  • The Three Bridges Drinks Company – Alcohol and wine
  • Kevin Williams Chocolates – Handmade chocolates
  • Jaadoo Restaurant – Indian cuisine
  • The Gate Charity – Hot and cold takeaway food
  • Lupo – Hot Food, panuozzos (pizza sandwiches) and pizza
  • Stag Bites The Hog – Local venison, pork and bites
  • AC Signature Beans – Barista coffee and artisan cakes
  • Clacks Good Food – Promoting healthy eating
  • Kingdom Game Ltd – Venison, beef, pork
  • Bertos Brownies – Handmade brownies
  • The Tiffin – Punjabi vegan and vegetarian food
  • Splendidly Scottish – Hot and cold smoked salmon

Running Order

Sound Bites will start at 11am and finish at 5.30pm. If you’re visiting Alloa for the first time and need help locating a parking space, please refer to our Getting Here page where you can find details on public transport and a map of all the car parks in the town centre.

*Performance times subject to change

11.00am – 5.30pm – Fun fair, Mill Street

11.00am – 5.30pm – Food & Drink Market, High Street

11.00am – Saltire Steel Band, High Street Stage

12.00pm – Soup Chef’s Masterclass, Chef’s Corner, High Street

12.30pm – Lochies School Makaton Choir, High Street Stage

12.45pm – Adult’s Cream Cracker Competition, High Street Stage

1.00pm – Park Primary Singers, High Street Stage

1.20pm – Children’s Jaffa Cake Competition, High Street Stage

1.30pm – Ask the experts – Chef’s Q&A Session, Chef’s Corner, High Street

2.00pm – Sauchie Community Choir, High Street Stage

2.20pm – Omelette Challenge, Chef’s Corner, High Street

2.40pm – Alloa Academy, High Street Stage

3.00pm – Macaroon Masterclass, Chef’s Corner, High Street

3.30pm – Taylor Swift Tribute (Part 1), High Street Stage

4.00pm – Paella Masterclass, Chef’s Corner, High Street

4.30pm – Taylor Swift Tribute (Part 2), High Street Stage