GET ready for a fun-filled few days for all the family, with scores of events happening in York and North Yorkshire over the Bank Holiday weekend. Perhaps the largest spectacle in York during the break will be the re-enactment of the English Civil War Battle of Marston Moor, which took place in 1644 to the west of the city.

More than 1,000 people from all over Europe will re-enact the historic event on Knavesmire on Sunday and Monday. Gates open from 10.30am to 5pm. Civil War re-enactment organisation The Sealed Knot is re-creating the battle – York’s biggest re-enactment to date – as part of the city’s first English Civil War festival, which began on August 22.

Another big occasion will be the Galtres Festival, where rock band The Bluetones will be a highlight of a two-day extravaganza of real ales, local produce and activities for children. Taking place tomorrow and Sunday at Crayke, near York, the event will boast hours of live music.

Meanwhile, tomorrow at 1pm the White Helmets, the Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team, will be performing stunts in the coach park at the south entrance of York Designer Outlet. At 4pm the Aerostars, the biggest civilian aerobatics team in the UK, will fly over the centre, performing aerobatics, passes and manoeuvres. The following day, at 12.30pm, Re-Take That will perform a tribute to pop group Take That at the south entrance. At 3.30pm the Counterfeit Beatles will cover songs by the Fab Four.

The Fulford Show is taking place on Monday, from 1pm to 5pm, on the playing field off School Lane, where there will be sports and games, a food and beer tent and air rifle shooting. Saturday’s events also include the 2009 Cawood Craft Festival, which will feature a scarecrow trail for the first time. In addition, there will be live bands, morris dancers, craft stalls, bouncy castles and steam train rides. Kicking off at noon, the fun will take place on all three days of the holiday.

In Pickering, there will be a sports gala on Sunday at the recreation ground, where there will be football, cricket and bowling club activities from 1pm to 6pm.

Also happening on Sunday, and Monday, will be a summer craft festival at Duncombe Park, in Helmsley. The event is running from 10am to 5pm. On Monday, Farndale agricultural show will be taking place, starting at 10am. Optimistic outlook

VISIT York said it was optimistic the city would enjoy a good August Bank Holiday.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of Visit York, said: “The good news is that bookings for people staying in York for the Bank Holiday weekend and for the subsequent week are up 26 per cent compared to the same period last year. We have seen a steady increase in the amount of people booking accommodation for the August Bank Holiday weekend itself and we are hopeful that this will continue until the last minute.”

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