SHIPLEY Street Arts Festival has joined up with Friends of Northcliffe and Q20 Events to organised this year’s annual Rae Gala which takes place later this summer.

A wide range of entertainment and attractions will be on offer at the gala, held at Northcliffe Woods in Shipley on Sunday, July 1, including live circus performances, food stalls and drone racing.

The Shipley Street Arts Festival begins on Saturday, June 30, and is incorporating the Rae Gala in the celebrations.

This year’s lineup includes the children from Stars Stage School performing songs from The Greatest Showman and Britney Spears’ song Circus to mark the local group’s tenth anniversary.

Q20 Events will be bringing its stilt walkers and giant elephant puppets along to the gala, and Spaceport7 will be playing dub-reggae music and also bringing its 3D fly-zone drones.

Children and adults can test their flying skills on a circus drone obstacle course, and there will also be donkey rides, ferret racing, face painting, local homemade food and treats, and Bradford Model Engineering Society will be offering rides on the miniature railway.

Melanie Bruzzese, events organiser for Friends of Northcliffe, said: “Everyone has a great time and looks forward to this local event.

“We are proud of the fact that during difficult financial times we are still able to bring the local community together to create a wonderful atmosphere in Northcliffe Woods.

“People give up their time and work hard to bring fun and excitement to Shipley. We hope that the hard work of volunteers and the goodwill of the community, will bring as many people as possible to share the day with us.”

Charlotte Vipond-Clarke, Shipley Street Arts Festival director, added: “Shipley Street Arts Festival is delighted to partner with Rae Gala this year.

“After originally fearing that we would lose the festival all together it is wonderful that Friends of Northcliffe responded to our call for help.

“With our combined resources we can make both events even more spectacular.

“This is a traditional Gala with a long history in Shipley. We are delighted that we can support this fantastic event and hope this can lead to a long-term partnership between Friends of Northcliffe and Q20 Events to continue to bring the best to Shipley and bring the community together.”

Away from Northcliffe Park, the festival market will kick off proceedings on Friday, June 29 in Shipley’s market square, followed by a day of circus attractions in the town centre, from the market square to Well Croft, from 11am to 5pm.

Entertainment on the Saturday includes acrobatics, slapstick comedy, face painting and arts and crafts.