REMEMBER the best birthday party you ever went to? Laughter... costumes… colours… jelly… cake. The one you wished could last for weeks?

Well, take that image and enlarge it, then throw in some world class music and arts, move it to one of the prettiest places in the Yorkshire Dales and you’ll start to get a picture of what lies in store as Grassington Festival celebrates its 30th birthday in style this summer.

The party starts with a bang on Friday 11th June with a carnival parade around the town – a festival first – announcing the arrival of a colourful fortnight of music, theatre, comedy, film and visual arts.

Barnsley Bard Ian McMillan is penning a commemorative poem to give the evening some true Yorkshire decorum, then opening night will culminate with an exciting performance from the hugely acclaimed Magnets.

And that’s just the start of a programme packed with birthday treats and lovely surprises…

Put simply, this quiet Dales village is planning the biggest party it’s ever seen. And the best thing about it is… everyone’s invited!

Tickets to the five big ‘Festival in the Field’ events are already on sale via the festival’s website at www.grassington-festival.org.uk and tickets for the full programme will be available on Friday 30th April.