THIS weekend is one of the biggest in the Ilminster calendar, with the Ilminster Midsummer Experience organisers working tirelessly to improve on 2016's success.

The event’s main organiser is Michael Fry-Foley of Experience Ilminster.

He said: “In its tenth year it is now firmly in place as one of the town’s summer highlights.

“Quite literally the flagship of the event is more than 100 flags which will be up for four weeks.

“Over the four days there are more than 25 events including all the traditional activities such as the food and craft market on Saturday, and on Sunday on the Recreation Ground there is the classic car show, fun dog show, the great fun fair and the food court, this year with pizzas, crepes, exotic burgers, tasty sausage and bacon baps washed down with delicious hot and cold drinks.

“You can also join in Rotary’s lunch on the Rec, this year with a fabulous menu of locally sourced food and drink. Open to all so get a group of friends together and take a table – there is nothing as nice as eating in the open air, albeit under canvas. We are in England, after all.

“This year there will be several new events starting with the innovative suitcase market in the Market House.

“This is not a market where you can buy your holiday suitcase. It is a place where micro-craft makers can sell their superb works out of a suitcase-sized pitch and is a chance to pick up a unique work from local artists.”

Saturday

  • Community Drive, Greenfylde School, 10am to 1pm
  • Food & Craft Market, Silver Street, 9am to 3pm
  • Pop Up Art Exhibition, Church Rooms, Court Barton,  9am to 4pm
  • The Warehouse Theatre Open Day, Brewery Lane, 10am to 2pm
  • Tennis Club Taster Day, Shudrick Lane, 10am to 3pm
  • Gledholt Male Voice Choir of Huddersfield, The Minster, from 7.30pm

Sunday

  • Classic Vehicle Show, The Rec, 10am to 3pm
  • Brass Band Concert, The Rec, 1.15pm to 3.15pm
  • Family Fun Dog Show, The Rec, 10am to 12.45pm
  • Three Peaks Walks, Starts at The Rec, 9am to 4pm
  • Rotary Lunch on the Rec 2017, The Rec, from noon
  • Strolling Garage Sale, throughout town, 10am to 4pm
  • Ilminster Bowling Club Taster Day, Shudrick Lane, 10am to 3pm
  • Children’s Fun Fair, The Rec, 10am to 3.30pm
  • Food Court, The Rec, 9am to 3pm
  • Heavy Horse Rides, The Rec, 10am to 3pm
  • Ilminster Majorettes, The Rec, from 12.45am

Ilminster scarecrow competition will also be on display through the town through the weekend.

For more information, visit ilminsterexperience.co.uk.