Kinross is a typical Scottish town for 362 days a year but it transforms into the country’s music capital for one weekend in July.
A disused airfield in nearby Balado has hosted the T in the Park festival since 1997.
More than 85,000 music fans from across the globe are expected to gather at the 600-acre site before close on Sunday night the population of a small city.
Rather than complaining about the ensuing traffic chaos and late-night noise, the people of Kinross overwhelmingly welcome it with open arms.
“T”, as it is known by the locals, has become important to the area.
You just have to walk down Kinross High Street to experience the colour and excitement it brings to residents.
The infamous yellow festival flags hang from doorways and almost every shop has tents, sleeping bags and boots for sale.
“T in the Park has put the area on the map,” said David Sands, the chief executive of Kinross supermarket David Sands.
“Twenty years ago, Kinross was just a little place in Scotland now it is a music mecca.
“The festival is a big boost to the local economy, especially at times like this when we are riding a recession.
“For the three weeks before and after the T in the Park weekend we see a considerable boost in trade, because of all the staff drafted in to build the site and then take it down again.
“Last year we sold lots of suntan lotion but this year we have bought in waterproof ponchos and wellingtons.”
Mr Sands said early worries about anti-social behaviour are no more in the town.
He said, “With such a big group of people in one area there are going to be a few problems on site but Kinross doesn’t see it.
“If anything it would be better if the event staff encouraged more festival-goers to come into the town to eat and stock up on water and snacks.
“It seems like people are carefully shepherded into the walled site, where goods can be very pricey.”
Staff at Ironmongers John and JH Sands have been helping forgetful campers stock up on necessities such as tent pegs, paper plates and duck tape.
The store also bought in hundreds of tickets to ensure local residents were among the crowds.
Marie Skinner (22), whose parents own the shop, has been to T in the Park every year since 1997.
She said, “I can’t imagine a summer without it, it’s very important to us.
“We sell camping kits, wellies and cooking equipment but a lot of people come in last-minute because they have forgotten something small but necessary. We sell a lot of tape.”
Hungry campers should make their way to the local church hall for tea and cakes.
Staff at Kinross Day Centre for the elderly have been baking all week to ensure they have enough scones to go round.
Manager Nan Cook said, “The service users here love to see and speak to all the young folk.
“Everyone here is a T in the Park fan. I’ve known of lots of pensioners who get weekend tickets.”
Nan, whose four grown-up children go to the festival, provides lifts to festival-goers who have become separated from their friends.
“Last year a young lad came in for a cuppa and said he’d missed his lift home,” she said. “We kept him with us all day and clubbed together to pay for his train ticket back to Ayr.
“We want to show the people of the world what a friendly place Kinross is and make them come back next year.”
She added, “I do think it would be a good thing if local people, especially teenagers, got a discount on the ticket cost.”
Kinross community councillor Margaret Blyth, who sits on the T in the Park committee, hopes the festival will remain on the town’s calendar for years to come.
“Residents and businesses welcome the music fans with open arms,” she said.
“With more than 85,000 people you do get a few hiccups, but all in all it always runs fairly smoothly. I think the organisers have finally got it cracked.”
Margaret, who will be in the crowds singing along to Paulo Nutini and The Proclaimers, added, “We will fight to keep it here”