The crowning of the Lace Queen was a cherished annual tradition in Darvel, fiercely contested among local lace manufacturers and celebrated alongside the town gala at Recreation Park. Though the exact selection process has been lost to time, being named Lace Queen, an attendant, or even a page boy was considered a great honor within the community.

Months of meticulous preparation preceded the event, with participants investing significant effort in designing elaborate dresses, arranging floral displays, preparing speeches, and decorating procession floats, all in anticipation of the crowning ceremony.

The tradition began in 1934 and ran until 1953, interrupted by an 11-year hiatus during World War II. Although relatively short-lived, it left a lasting legacy in the town’s history.

Much of the information about this tradition comes from The History of Darvel Lace Queens, compiled by Peter Orr in 2020.