BURLEY-in-Wharfedale's Summer Festival kicks off this weekend with a big blast from the whistles of the vintage engines rally.

Steam traction engines and rollers of all shapes and sizes will be parked outside the Generous Pioneer in Ilkley Road on Saturday, blasting off on their whistles and allowing visitors to get up close and see these feats of engineering in full working order.

Sounds of an altogether softer nature will be coming from Grange Park the same afternoon, however, when the Anchor Big Band provides two hours of swinging classics for the crowds in the park.

There will be teas and cakes available, and for the little ones there will be some old fairground games and stall arrangements. Entry is free.

Music lovers can enjoy top quality performance on Saturday evening at Burley Social Club with Cabaret Saltaire. This promises to be a rip-roaring evening of musical comedy, magic and guaranteed laughs.

Blues legend Steve Phillips, famous for his previous appearances with Mark Knopfler, Brendan Croker and other leading musicians, will be appearing. Ticket prices are £10.

On the same evening, the Wharfedale Chamber Ensemble, conducted by David Greed of Opera North, will be offering a programme of Bach, Grieg and Suk in Burley Methodist Church.

A highlight of the programme will be a performance of the Bach concerto for oboe and violin, with Jack Greed (leader of Leeds City Youth Orchestra) and Cathy Lowe (principal oboe with Opera North) as soloists. Tickets in advance cost £10 (£4 for under-19s) and £12 on the night.

A demonstration of owls will get underway on Sunday. These outdoor talks include an introduction to the birds of prey on display, where they come from and their feeding habits. The public will be able to get up close and stroke the birds to feel the different textures of their feathers. The demonstrations are free, but donations to the festival will be welcome.

Classic vehicles will be on show in the nearby cricket ground. The free Burley Classic Vehicle show has become a firm favourite of the summer festival, and close to 400 entries have already registered, with more expected on the day. Club entries include the Aston Martin owners.

A teddy bears' picnic will be held in Grange Park (or Burley Library if wet) on Monday lunchtime, as well as a pet service on the village green.

Also on Monday is a great opportunity for young people to take part in a songwriting workshop led by the band Maia, who will then perform a gig in the evening.

Sylvia Tilford, of Burley Summer Festival, said: “The Burley Classic Show has a record number of cars, and we’re looking forward to having some new events we haven’t run before.

"We’d like to welcome visitors from around the district, as well as from the village. All we can pray for is good weather.”

The remainder of the week is packed full of even more fun, including a variety of walks, a scarecrow trail, basketball sessions run by Basketball Dragons, Burley Theatre Group’s Murder Mystery on Wednesday evening and the well-established festival ‘Night at the Opera’ on Saturday evening.

Local soprano, Joanne Dexter, who has performed internationally, including with Opera North, will lead this concert. She will be performing with Richard Rowe (tenor), Jack Cunningham (bass baritone), Peter Selwyn (accompanist) and Tom Pritchard (marimba). The evening will provide a fitting finale to this year’s festival.

Visit burleysummerfestival.org for a full schedule of the week’s events and booking details.