Hundreds of pupils at schools in the Aire Valley will join the schools’ celebration during this year’s Saltaire Festival.

The event each September is among the festival highlights and this year’s extravaganza is set to be the biggest and most ambitious event of its kind.

Almost 1,000 children from Saltaire Primary, Wycliffe CofE and St Walburga’s will be taking over Roberts Park, which has been returned to its Victorian splendour after a £4.5 million refurbishment.

Schools’ celebration organiser Hattie Townsend said the afternoon would include songs, dancing and fun for all.

She said: “The opening of the superbly refurbished Roberts Park will be celebrated with a unique and ambitious event.

“Nearly 1,000 children from the three Saltaire primary schools, dressed in Victorian costume, will gather in Roberts Park, where actors will re-enact the original opening of what was then called Saltaire Park by Sir Titus Salt and members of his family in 1871.

“The distinguished ‘platform party’ will then be entertained by Saltaire’s children displaying their talents – singing, dancing and gymnastics, and there will be comic surprises too.”

The event is on Thursday, September 16.

It is supported by Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire Playhouse Wardrobe has donated the costumes.

Mrs Townsend urged visitors to celebrate the village’s roots.

She said: “Help to create the atmosphere by wearing Victorian costume yourself. Be one of Sir Titus’s mill-workers for the afternoon and celebrate Saltaire past and present.”

The 2010 Saltaire Festival runs between September 9 and 19 and features many new attractions alongside returning popular favourites.

The re-opened Roberts Park will be a key venue, hosting a range of events and activities throughout the festival.

The theme of this year’s annual festival – the eighth – is AireBorne, celebrating artists, writers and musicians with connections to the Aire Valley.

Full details of this year’s programme will go live on the festival website – saltairefestival.co.uk – in the coming weeks.

There is also a Saltaire Festival page on Facebook.

Stewards are needed for the schools’ celebration and other festival events. To volunteer, contact volunteer co-ordinator Susan Hinchcliffe on 07971 562628 or register as a volunteer on the festival website at saltairefestival.

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e-mail: marc.meneaud@telegraphandargus.co.uk