ORGANISERS of music, beer and family-focused festivals are hoping for bumper crowds this Bank Holiday weekend.

Events which promise to appeal to visitors and locals alike over the three days range from traditional shows to knockout fun and York’s inaugural Soapbox Challenge.

Motorists are being warned about potential delays as the three-day Leeds Festival starts today at Bramham Park.

In Holgate, The Fox Inn is hosting Fox Fest from Friday until Monday, with live music, street food and beers, while the Slip Inn in Clementhorpe and The Swan in Bishopgate Street are hosting their seventh annual beer and cider festival, with 40 beers from 40 breweries expected on the two pubs’ bars over the weekend.

Doors open at 3pm on Friday then at noon on Saturday and Sunday. There will be food, plus live music on and off throughout the weekend at both pubs.

The Jolly Farmers in Leavening is holding a gin festival from Friday to Monday, with 28 gins, and live music on Saturday and Sunday.

Emma Cansick said: “Gin is very popular in our pub and I have a passion for different and exciting gins so we decided to run our own festival.”

Emma said they would also have three masterclasses with the distillers - The Lakes Gin, Masons and Sloemotion.

Thornton le Dale will be home to dozens of scarecrows over the three days, with a trail to follow - maps will be available to buy along with raffle tickets.

In York, St Leonard’s Hospice is hosting its annual ‘It’s a Knockout’ tournament on Knavesmire from 10.30am on Sunday.

Teams made up from local businesses, families and friends will be competing against each other through games and events, based on the TV series, most of which involve a good soaking for competitors.

Annie Keogh, Hospice fundraiser, said: “This event is brilliant for spectators and makes a great day out as we also have stalls, a climbing tower, a bouncy dome and food outlets to enjoy. You’ll have fun watching the teams literally falling over themselves to win the coveted trophy, and all the time, raising money to help fund the vital work of the Hospice.”

Spectators are also being urged to cheer on the 44 racing teams taking on the city’s inaugural Soapbox Challenge on Micklegate from 10am on Sunday.

Organised by Micklegate Business Initiative (MBI), teams will ride soapbox carts down the cobbled hill with trophies presented at 5pm for the winners. Entrants include individuals, shops, engineers, sports clubs, schools, the Army, NY Police, hairdressers, pubs and charities.

Fulford Show is on Bank Holiday Monday with competitions in the Social Hall on School Lane, including the best flowers or flower arrangements, fruit and vegetables, cookery and handicrafts; with a cup for the best handwriting by a child.

Further along School Lane are field events with stalls, food, music, a climbing wall, giant inflatable and a display of Japanese drumming.

The Fulford tapestry, depicting the Battle of Fulford, will also be on show.