10 Jul 2017
Make it a day for… Summer in Otley
From making chocolates with the man who created Jessica Ennis-Hill's wedding cake to being chased by zombies, there are a host of events in Otley this summer
Leeds, July 2017: The West Yorkshire market town of Otley is offering a summer season packed with activities from days out with the kids, to one of the country's premier zombie events. Festivities start this Sunday (July 16) with the renowned Otley Food & Drink Festival featuring Trevor Backhouse, the man who created Jessica Ennis-Hill's wedding cake. Many of the events offered are free of charge.
Otley Food and Drink Festival
Learn to make chocolates from the man who created Olympic heroine Jessica Ennis-Hill's wedding cake at this fifth edition of Otley's annual food and drink festival. Held in Market place on Sunday July 16, the festival will feature demos from local chefs, including wedding cake maker extraordinaire Trevor Backhouse of award-winning Patisserie Viennoise. The festival will also offer street food, local produce, musical acts and children's entertainment.
July 16, 10am to 4pm, Market Place, Otley, LS21 3AQ. Free entry. See visitotley.co.uk
Kids' Funtime
Stuck for things to do during the six-week-holidays from school? Fear not, there's free children's entertainment every Wednesday in Market Place over the summer including sessions with clowns, fun on bouncy castles, crazy golf and inflatable playgrounds.
July 19, 26, Aug 2, 9, 26, 23, 30, 10am-3pm, Market Place, Otley, LS21 3AQ. Free entry. See visitotley.co.uk
Summer Bands in the Park
The Leeds International Concert Season heads to Otley on Sunday, July 23 for a performance by the Otley Brass Brand. The season sees performances in parks across Leeds, with the pretty Wharfemeadows Park the riverside setting when the festival visits Otley. Otley's Brass Band is very much a traditional offering, founded in 1973, and at the heart of the community. Expect to hear a number of classics, as well as Yorkshire's traditional anthem On Ilkla Moor Baht'at.
July 23, 2.30pm-4.30pm, Wharfemeadows Park, LS21 2RW. Free entry. See leeds.gov.uk
Otley Farmers' market
Otley's long history as a market town began in 1222 when King Henry III granted the first Royal Charter, and that proud tradition continues today. There's a three times a week regular market held on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with a monthly farmers' market on the last Sunday of each month. Pick up artisan produce from local farms, cheesemakers, bakers, grocers and other specialists at this event held in Market Place.
July 30, August 27, 10am to 4pm, Market Place, Otley, LS21 3AQ. Free entry. See visitotley.co.uk
Otley Zombie Apocalypse 2017
Navigate secret locations across the town, solving clues, challenges and gruesome tasks along the way… all while trying to avoid the hordes of hungry zombies. This fun (yes, really!) event is now in its fifth year and keeps getting more popular. That's largely down to the amazing make up and great street theatre provided by the organisers. All profits go to local charities.
August 12, 6-9pm. Tickets from £15. See facebook.com/OtleyZombies
Vintage Transport Extravaganza
See some amazing classic and veteran cars, alongside motorbikes, military vehicles, tractors and steam engines at this annual festival celebrating motorised transport throughout the ages. It's perfect for petrolheads, but those who are not car buffs are also catered for thanks to fairground rides, food stalls and entertainment.
September 10, 10am to 4pm, Knotford Nook, LS21 1EA. £4 adults, £3.50 (concs), kids under 14 free. See ovte.co.uk
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For more information please contact james@allaboutthestory.co.uk or call 07956 499 043. Click here for images
About Otley
Otley is a historic West Yorkshire market town, perfectly placed between cosmopolitan Leeds and the Yorkshire Dales. Major sites include Otley Chevin, the Riverside Walk and a traditional market held three days a week. It is also home to a number of quirky tea shops and independent boutiques, as well as some of Yorkshire's best pork pies and a number of traditional pubs. For more see visitotley.co.uk and otleytowncouncil.gov.uk
