NASHVILLE singer/songwriter Paul Pfau performed to around 250 people in one of the first flagship events of this year’s Haworth Festival.

A crowd gathered in the village’s Central Park on Saturday afternoon to watch Paul, a runner-up in the Voice USA competition.

He performed songs from his album The Great American Love Story and afterwards signed CDs and had his photo taken with his new fans.

Bubamara and Spence also performed live, while Andy Greenough was the DJ and MC, at an event hosted by Haworth Village Trust and the Friends of Haworth Park.

Paul, nicknamed Pfauworth, also performed at the Black Bull in Haworth on Saturday evening to finishes two-week UK tour which took him as far afield as Cambridge, Aviemore, Stockport and York.

He told organiser Sarah Granby that he thought the bandstand made a lovely venue and he would love to visit Haworth and play at the festival again.

Organisers this week said they were once again delighted with the reception from local people for the first events of the festival.

The festival will continue until Sunday, July 30 with events for all ages including music and stage entertainment.

Thursday July 27 sees Jim’s Jam Night at the Old Sun, West Lane, from 8pm to 11pm.

The same evening there will be an open mic session at the Black Bull, Main Street, where landlord Jim invites everyone to plug in and play or step up to the mic and have a go,from 8pm.

There will be a DJ Open Deck Night on Friday at Haworth Cricket Club in West Lane, from 7.30pm.

A spokesman said: “It will be an evening of recorded music played by amateur DJs. It's all about listening to music you may never had heard of before and favourites you haven't heard for a while.

“There are seven slots of 20 to 30 minutes, and each slot has a specific theme with tracks chosen from the personal collection of the DJs.

“There is a bar and free entry. Come down and enjoy anything and everything from Abba to Zappa.”

The themes are police and thieves, triple trouble, boogie, New York New York, lurve, Changegate Crates, and outlaws, murderers and ne’er-do-wells.

There will be family fun day in Central Park on Sunday, from 1pm, including music, arts and crafts plus a children’s music jam session.

There will also be a Family Jam on Sunday giving children and young people the chance to perform in a band is play a variety of instruments.

A spokesman said: “No experience is required, everything is intended to be easy to play, it's all about getting involved and having fun.

“Join with a band of curious characters who have all met during their travels and are always on the lookout for a few extra members.

“We encourage dressing up and face painting will be on hand for participants. Help create the show or just drop in for a jam and to make new friends.”

Haworth Festival will spread onto the hills near Cullingworth on Thursday, July 27 for Jane Sedgwick’s Heart Trail Run, meeting at 7pm at the Guide Inn, Keighley Road, for a “five-mile-ish off-road, hilly, muddy, but most importantly, social” run.

The route will be adorned with tiny ceramic hearts, and this year Jane has decided to glitter the hearts in loving memory of former Haworth resident Ellen Scott.

There is no charge for the event, but any donations will go to Heads Together for Mind. Visit bit.ly/2vRTMGQ to make a donation.

Visit haworthfestival.org.uk for further information.