Six things to do in the York sunshine this weekend, July 5-7, 2013
Do not be alarmed. That thing in the sky isn’t a UFO. We’ve Googled it and it’s called “the sun”.
It causes outbreaks of happiness and fun, but be warned it can disappear again at any time. To help you make the most of the sunshine, here are a few outdoor ideas for the whole family this weekend.
Carnival time
For most of the time, Copmanthorpe is a calm and measured sort of place. Then once a year it goes all Rio on us, with a carnival that has been growing ever since it launched in the Sixties. With live music, a fairground, Vikings, donkeys, a Titanic slide and falconry it will be a wild day. There’s a barbecue, bars and strawberries and cream too. Saturday, 12-6pm.
Cats and dogs
Are you a dog person or cat person? Well, it doesn’t matter this weekend, because there’s something for both. Saturday sees York Cats Protection open their doors in Huntington with stalls and a tombola (1-4pm). On Sunday, there’s a fun dog show as part of the RSPCA’s summer fair at Landing Lane, with stalls and refreshments (11am-3.30pm).
A sunshine stroll
Nothing beats a walk on a sunny day, and York has an abundance to choose from. York Cemetery is a beautiful oasis just a short stroll from the centre and on Sunday David Poole is leading a tour around the graves of the many Lord Mayors of the city buried there (2pm). Alternatively go round the globe with The World Tour Of York on Saturday at 11am and 2pm.
Go bug hunting
Museum Gardens hosts an Insect Festival on Sunday (10am-4pm). With live insect displays, mini-beast hunts, photographic displays and more you should creep or crawl your way there. Nature lovers can get some fresh air and do some good at the fab St Nicholas Fields as part of their Eco activity day on Saturday (10am-2pm). Further afield, there’s a “bioblitz” at Brimham Rocks, with bird walks, pond dipping, a mini-beast hunt and much else besides (Saturday, 11am-5pm). In Dalby Forest, meanwhile, you can take part in a solar observation to learn more about that big yellow thing that’s suddenly appeared (Sunday, 12-4pm).
- Click here for full details of the Insect Festival
- More on St Nick’s Eco activity day – summer tidy up here
- Details of the Brimham Rocks bioblitz here
- Go here for Dalby Forest solar observation details
Anyone for tennis?
There’s some sort of tennis thingy going on in London. Get in on the act by joining the New Earswick Wimbledon Fun Session on Friday night (6pm). That costs £2, but if you’ve a spare £45 you can head to Helmsley for the Black Swan’s Wimbledon afternoon tea party – champagne, strawberries and cream as you watch the men’s final (Sunday, 1.30pm).
- Details of the New Earswick Wimbledon fun session here
- More on the Black Swan’s Wimbledon tea party here
Fair going
Lots of community events worth a visit. Hook a duck, it’s Dunnington Primary School’s summer fair on Saturday (11am-1pm). Cream teas are on offer to celebrate the 75th anniversary of St Wulstan’s Church off Fossway (Saturday, 12-4pm), and at the Rawcliffe Rec there’s a car boot and table top sale to raise funds for Clifton playgroup (Saturday, 1.30-4pm).
- More on the Dunnington school fair here
- More on the St Wulstan’s celebration here
- Car boot and table top sale details here