VILLAGERS are making the final preparations for one of the highlights of the year in the Lune Valley, reports Greg Morgan.
The Wray Scarecrow Festival concludes this weekend with the Wray Fair on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6.
Over the past decade this quaint event has grown from a local attraction into a national and international spectacle, which in 2000 attracted over 25,000 visitors to the village and valley as a whole.
With more than 200 scarecrows populating the idyllic streets and, with a traditional country fair drawing the festival to a close, Wray Scarecrow Festival has become a firm favourite on the Lune Valley Calendar.
As well as hundreds of life-sized scarecrows, visitors will also be able to enjoy the spectacle of a handful of giant 14ft characters who will parade the village streets throughout the week and, as ever, the event will be based around a number of themes - this year's include the Queen's Golden Jubilee, look-alikes, the Commonwealth Games and World Cup.
Landlord of one of the village pubs, Jo Baker, explained what the Festival means to the area: "Wray Festival makes Christmas look like a tea party in comparison,'' she said.
"The planning that goes into it is phenomenal.
It is our focal point and the community is fiercely proud of it.
That's why, when last year' s event was cancelled, due to foot-and-mouth, it had such a terrible impact.
We are all absolutely thrilled to have it back and looking forward to once again welcoming thousands of families back."
TIMETABLE
May 3 - Scarecrow Parade.
8.00pm.
Scarecrows and villagers parade through the village, culminating in a display at the bridge on the edge of the village.
May 4 & 5 - Wray Village Beer Festival at the George & Dragon and New Inn Public Houses.
May 6, Bank Holiday - Fair Day.
A massive fair marks the end of the festival.
Attractions include Punch & Judy, games, fairground rides, huge car boot sale, stalls, country games, rare breeds, Jazz bands, art exhibition, crafts and refreshments.
May 6, Bank Holiday - Wray Village Fell Run.
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