The centre of Ilkley will be transformed to a continental-style marketplace this weekend for one of the most popular events of the annual Ilkley Summer Festival.

Olives, French cheese and street treats from abroad are again expected to be among the many attractions of the three-day continental street market on The Grove.

The street will become a pedestrian-only area tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday, as traders from all over Europe, as well as some from closer to home, set up stall.

Adding to the European street market feel of the event, various musicians and bands will play at the bandstand on The Grove.

The market is traditionally one of the best-attended events of the festival, which is now in its eighth year.

The street market will not be the only big event of the festival taking place over the coming week.

The 75th annual Ilkley Flower and Vegetable Show is set to see local gardeners, allotment holders and skilled crafts people battle it out for the awards – also putting on a great display for visitors to see.

Entries in more than 100 classes will go on display at the Clarke Foley Centre, Cunliffe Road, including floral art, vegetables, fruit, and homecraft – which includes classes for baking, jam, chutney, knitting, needlework, photography, painting and more.

The efforts of junior entrants will also be on show, for the 12 children’s classes offered this year.

The judges will make their decisions earlier in the day, and the show will be open to the public from 1.30 to about 5pm.

An exhibition by Ilkley artist Graeme Willson will be on show at Riddings Hall, Riddings Road, for three days, beginning today. Paintings by Mr Willson, widely known for his large-scale work, including the Cornucopia mural in Leeds and the Madonna of the Moors in St Margaret’s Church in Ilkley, will be on sale.

Ten per cent of the sales go to the NSPCC charity. In the past the exhibition has raised thousands of pounds for the cause. Ilkley Moor and its landscape are expected to be one of the major themes of the show.

A closer look at more art will be on offer on Sunday, when sisters Joy Godfrey and Chris Bailey open up their studio on Back Nelson Road for the second time this month. Visitors will be able to see examples of Joy’s painting and silkscreen printing, plus Chris’s ceramics and kiln-fused glass. The artists will also be on hand to discuss their work.

The next in the series of Ilkley Heritage Guided Walks through the summer festival month will take place on Wednesday afternoon. The free walk will this time examine local heritage from the riverside to the cemetery.

The build-up will also get under way for the lively Picnic and Party at the Riverside, on August 14 and 15. Singer, pianist and guitarist Mike Sanchez, plus Rock Back The Clock and Boogie Up A Storm, will perform in a big top at the Riverside Gardens on the Saturday afternoon and evening.

The following day, it will be the turn of Freddie Mercury tribute act the Great Pretender, and local band Five Dollar Shoes, to play the park, between 3 and 8pm. Both events are free.

Ticket are still available for one of the traditional highlights of the festival, meanwhile, the Last Night of the Proms concert. The concert will take place on The Grove on Saturday August 28. They can be bought at Ilkley Visitor Information Centre, Ilkley Town Hall, or by calling 01943 602319.

Full summer festival programmes are available from the visitor centre. Information is also available online at summerfestival.ilkley.org.