Some Mediterranean weather is being hoped for as traders from the Continent set up shop for three days in Ilkley town centre.

Yorkshire Day celebrations got this year’s Ilkley Summer Festival off to a lively start last weekend, and now the three-day market is set to bring a buzz to The Grove.

A firm favourite since the first Ilkley Summer Festival in August 2003, the street market will return to Ilkley tomorrow, and trade until Sunday afternoon.

Shoppers and daytrippers can sample the French, German and Mediterranean treats on offer, plus listen to live music, as they soak up the atmosphere. They can also visit the 56th Annual Ilkley Flower Show.

The event is run by Bradford Markets Service,who also run special events such as Haworth Fine Food Festival and Saltaire Festival Market.

Wharfedale-based alternative folk band Skeyin will take to the bandstand, as well as Lost & Found, tomorrow. Young five-piece band The Bacchae, playing a blend of garage, glam and punk, will play in the town centre on Saturday, as well as Coaltrain and The Cascade Saxophone Quartet.

West Yorkshire jazz quintet Five Bars From Mars will be at the bandstand on Sunday, as well as duo Mambo Jambo, performing a mix of Latin and Caribbean, Cuban, Brazilian, bluegrass, jazz and more.

The long-running Ilkley Flower Show has its place at the centre of the month-long festival.

The show, again taking place at the Clarke Foley Centre, Cunliffe Road, is expected to show off the gardening, homecraft and floral art skills of local residents.

The doors open to the public at 1.30pm on Saturday, after the tough judging decisions have been made. Visitors will be able to see a wide variety of flowers, plus a special section for dahlias, entries in six different floral art classes, vegetable classes, preserves and baking, needlework and other homecraft.

Class entries from budding photographers and painters will be on display, as well as the entries in fun and colourful children’s classes.

Awards will be presented to the winners by the chairman of Ilkley Parish Council at 4.15pm, before the ever-popular auction of produce.

Sisters Joy Godfrey and Chris Bailey will continue their series of Open Studio events on Sunday. From 2pm to 4pm they will open the doors of their studios on Back Nelson Road, giving visitors a chance to see their paintings, fused glass and other artwork close up, and learn about their techniques.

Cricket for youngsters and beginners has formed a major part of the Ilkley Summer Festival since its beginning. The annual cricket school for children at Ben Rhydding Cricket Club is one of the central events.

This year’s cricket school ends today but there will be more chances to hit a six at two more festival events.

The fun three-day YCB/YCCC Enjoy Cricket for beginners event will take place at Ilkley Cricket Club from Tuesday to Thursday. Meanwhile the Cricket Factory will be coming to the Riverside Gardens on Friday, August 14.

The next in the series of heritage guided walks will take place on Wednesday. The first, at 2pm, meeting at the Manor House, Castle Yard, will go in search of Roman Ilkley.

Continuing the theme of the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth, and his visit to Ilkley 150 years ago, a walk will study Darwin’s Ilkley. The walk will set off from Darwin Gardens Millennium Green car park, Wells Road, at 7pm.

Family workshops on the theme of Darwin and natural history will continue at the Manor House in the week ahead. Two sessions of Pootering will take place from 10am to noon, and from 1pm to 3pm on Tuesday, August 11.

The build-up will begin over the week ahead for the one of the biggest weekends of this year’s festival. The Riverside Gardens will be the venue for music, entertainment and a children’s fair on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16.

Rising star Imelda May will perform at the Riverside Gardens on August 15, with music also coming from Juke Box Jive, Boogie Up A Storm and Five Dollar Shows.

Tribute group Abba Gold will be centre stage on August 16, supported by Psycho Slinkys and the Bread and Butter Theatre Co.

Tickets for bookable events, and more information, can be found at Ilkley Tourist Information Centre, Ilkley Town Hall, on 01943 602319.

Festival event details can also be found online at summerfestival.ilkley.org.