CLECKHEATON’S annual folk festival gets under way on Friday for three days of what organisers promise will be the best event yet.

Headlining the 29th festival at Cleckheaton Town Hall are The Pitmen Poets on Friday night and The Demon Barbers who bring their XL stage show on Saturday night.

But first, on the Friday afternoon from 2pm, there are informal sessions for the early arrivals and the chance to join in with a Welcome to the Festival event at the Masonic Hall Temple from 2pm.

Saturday sees a programme of street entertainers and Morris dancers, as well as the traditional parade starting from the town’s fire station on Hightown Road at 11am.

Saturday also sees a number of events throughout the day, including concerts, presentations, meet-the-artist sessions, and workshops. There will also be a free family Ceilidh in the town hall from 4pm to 5.45pm.

Outdoor entertainment will continue throughout the day culminating in the festival dance-off outside the Wickham Arms between the 14 Morris sides at 3pm.

A craft fair at St Paul’s Church Hall in Dewsbury Road from 10am to 4pm and a street market on Albion Street will both be held on Saturday and Sunday.

An All Star concert at the town hall on Sunday afternoon features young trio Granny’s Attic opening the proceedings with traditional songs and tunes. Acts include multi-instrumentalist six-piece The Shee, Coope Boyes & Simpson, and Faustus.

A Family Fun Day is planned for Sunday afternoon in Savoy Square, with entertainment for children of all ages, from noon to 4pm. There will be a bouncy castle, Punch and Judy show, circus crafts and face-painters, as well as street entertainers.

Festival director Dave Minich said: “We say it every year but we think we have the best one yet.

“The outside entertainment is the public face of the event but the music and dance that takes place in the indoor venues is what really gets our hearts thumping. Quality artists presented in a professional environment gives our audience what they have come to expect from Cleckheaton – a first class show.

“None of it would be possible without the hard work of a dedicated team of volunteer committee members and I would like to publicly thank them one and all – they’ve done a brilliant job.”

For more information, visit the festival website at cleckheaton folkfestival.org.