THE FIRST Ilkley Summer Festival has got off to a bright and lively start - and organisers are looking forward to another week of fun.

Festivities began on Friday with a mass balloon release outside Ilkley Town Hall, to launch the festival in a flurry of colour.

The balloon launch coincided with celebrations held in honour of Yorkshire Day.

The reading of the Yorkshire Day declaration by Ilkley town crier Chris Richards, and singing of On Ilkley Moor Baht 'At, preceded the start of a 'food trail' through the town, run by Ilkley Tourist Information Centre.

Visitors were given the chance to sample Yorkshire delicacies at the centre, before following a trail to food retailers' businesses around Ilkley Town Centre, for more free food tasters, and special offers.

Highlight of the first day, was a well-attended 1960s concert at the King's Hall, Station Road, Craig Douglas, Maggie Moone and The Tornadoes.

The festivities met with blazing sunshine on Saturday, for the official opening of Pipedream's new skate park, off New Brook Street, by Ilkley Parish Council chairman, Kate Brown, followed by food and entertainment at Ilkley Rugby Club, featuring a local youth rock band.

The finals of the Ilkley Open Tennis tournament, hosted by Ilkley Tennis Club, gave festival-goers a chance to see some top sporting action on Saturday afternoon.

Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Allan Hillary, invited families to the Learning is Fun barbecue and charity event at the Nell Bank Centre, Denton Road.

The event raise money for the educational outdoor activities centre, which the Lord Mayor is supporting alongside Bradford Outward Bound, as his chosen charities.

Families enjoyed orienteering, an assault course, a quiz, adventure playground and 'pond dipping' in search of wildlife.

The biggest event of the weekend was the Wharfe Valley Festival Gala - held at Ilkley's Riverside Gardens. Around 2,000 people are thought to have basked in the sunshine enjoyed a Cossack riding display, funfair, music, comedy and a visit from The Pulse Roadshow.

Bradford Council environment chief, and founder member of the Ilkley Summer Festival, said: "The wonderful weather contributed to a hugely successful weekend of events and activities in Ilkley. I'm delighted that so many people of all different ages enjoyed the party in the park at Riverside park.

It was an ideal launchpad for the Ilkley Festival, which promises to be varied and stimulating three weeks of arts and recreation activities for residents and visitors alike."

Sunday saw the start of Ben Rhydding Sports Club's Junior Sports Week. The week will promote one of the festival's aims, which is to develop junior cricket in the area.

The long-running walking programme for the Ilkley Summer Festival also got underway this week, with guided walks focusing on the Roman, Victorian and Prehistoric landscape of Ilkley.

THE WEEK ahead holds another wide selection of leisure activities for visitors and Ilkley residents of all ages to enjoy.

Following on from the successful opening last week, organisers again hope people will flock to the events on offer, and hope the weather will give festival-goers a chance to enjoy Wharfedale's countryside.

The countryside is one of the cultural festival's themes, along with sport, food and drink, art and music.

More than 30 local artists are also expected to show their work at The Winter Gardens, Station Road, in the annual Ilkley Art Show on Saturday (August 9). The show is one of a number of annual events being co-ordinated with the programme of the Ilkley Summer Festival.

The one-day show, supported by The Art Shop, on Hawksworth Street, will feature many demonstrations of art and crafts techniques. Television watercolour painter, Charles Evans will be putting on a demonstration, and Norfolk author Frank Halliday will give a workshop. Places must be pre-booked at the workshop.

As well as an arts materials show, there promises to be an exhibition of work using a variety of media, and a mix of contemporary and traditional styles. The show takes place from 10am to 5pm.

Many of the activities for the next seven days focus on getting out and about in the Ilkley area.

Ben Rhydding Sports Club will continue with its junior sports week until this weekend - encouraging local under-15s to take up cricket in particular.

More fun for youngsters, including a football training session, is to be had at a fun day for under-14s at Clevedon House School, Ben Rhydding Drive.

The younger children will be able to enjoy an afternoon out with their favourite cuddly companion this afternoon (August 7). A Teddy Bears Picnic will take place at the Manor House Museum, Castle Yard, from 2pm to 3.30pm.

The Ilkley Summer Festival walking programme continues with guided walks of Prehistoric Ilkley Moor on August 9, with walks to Beamsley Beacon, The Chelker Reservoir, Middleton Round Hill and Burley Moor over the next week.

People will also be told to get on their bikes with a cycle treasure hunt on Sunday (August 10), and an evening family cycle ride on Wednesday (August 13).

Beginners will be able to try out rock climbing in one of the quarries by the Cow and Calf Rocks, from 10am to 4pm on Saturday (August 9).

Exhibitions will also be taking place in the coming week, including one showing old photographs of Ilkley, which appeared at the Manor House Museum to celebrate the Millennium three years ago.

Events to follow next week include a French street market on The Grove, from Friday August 15 to Sunday August 17. The market will feature traders selling delicacies from France and elsewhere in Europe, plus street entertainers.

Further details, and copies of the full event listings for the Ilkley Summer Festival are available from Ilkley Tourist Information Centre, Station Road, or by calling (01943) 602319. Details can also be found on the Internet at www.ilkley.org/summerfestival.