THIS weekend Burley's Summer Festival gets underway.

It officially starts Saturday stretching over ten days through to Bank Holiday weekend when it closes on Sunday, August 28. However, there's a Festival-Eve Ceilidh to kick-start proceedings at 7.30pm tomorrow (Friday, August 18) at the Queen's Hall, Main Street, Burley in Wharfedale.

This year’s busy programme has over 80 events and activities for all ages and interests. Festival favourites which draw in visitors from around Wharfedale and beyond include the Scarecrow Trail – this years with a 'Back to the 80s theme; the Fun 'Burley in Woofdale' Dog show; Music in Park - this year with the Anchor Big Band, Silsden Town band and Burley’s Ukulele Jammers; the Classic Show with 300 vehicles registered to be on display at this year's event; the Food and Drink, Arts and Craft and Vintage markets; Play in the Park scheduled to coincide with other children's events; and 'Walkers are Welcome' walks – which have been increased due to demand. Elsewhere in the programme there's a number of events featuring notable musical and sporting names, a dog expert and baking star.

On the opening weekend of the Festival acclaimed folk singer and songwriter, Charlie Dore, will be performing at the Social Club on Saturday night. Also on the opening Saturday sees the Orchestra of Opera North leader, David Greed conducting the Wharfedale Chamber Ensemble’s annual Festival concert at the Methodist Church.

There's two mid-week treats, firstly with Leeds Rhinos Foundation rugby coaching for six to 14 years-olds on Wednesday, August 23, featuring an appearance from Ronnie Rhino. Booking is required for the coaching places are limited. In the evening, Channel 4's the Dogfather, Graeme Hall, will be 'Tearing up the Rule Book' to give an insight into using dog training techniques to train people at the Queen’s Hall.

The final weekend of the Festival sees Opera North's Katie Walker (Mezzo), Dean Robinson (Bass) and Ivan Sharpe (Tenor) join Rachel Luxon (Soprano) and their accompanist Annette Saunders for the Opera Gala, an evening of opera, operetta and songs from the golden era of American musicals on the evening of Saturday, August 26.

A new event for Burley Festival is 'The Great Burley Bake Off'. The two-date event is split between the opening and closing weekends, where both juniors and seniors can enter their baked goods, with the winners invited to go through to the '80s Showstopper Final' which will see the appearance and judging from Great British Bake Off 2015 contestant Sandy Docherty, of Yeadon. This event follows a free 'Family Sports' competition which includes traditional races and games. In addition to judging and announcing the The Great Burley Bake Off winners, Sandy will also be prize-giving for the Festival's Scarecrow competition for the top-voted creations and prize draw open to all those who take part in the trail and return their voting slips.

Some events are free to attend, others are priced to cover costs – although booking is required for many of these events. Details are available at www.burleysummerfestival.org. Festival information will be available 10am to 4pm throughout the festival in the Roundhouse, Grange Park, Burley in Wharfedale.