IT'S BEEN far from a smooth ride, but against the odds the 29th Filey Festival is all set to kick off this weekend.
This year's festival has been beset with problems arising from three failed funding bids.
Over the last three years, the festival – which has been the main event of the season for nearly 30 years – has received £57,800 worth of funding from the Ar
ts Council, but this year has been awarded just £300 by Scarborough Council for updating its website.
The 2008 festival boasted up to 100 events, from art to poetry workshops to comedy and an Acoustic Gathering, whereas this year's event offers a much smaller range of more traditional events.
But festival secretary Joyce Hoblyn is still confident of putting on a good show, promising "diversity is the key" for this year's event.
Things get started today with a craft market in the Evron Centre, followed by the festival's official opening by Scarborough Council's head of tourism and culture Brian Bennett.
The opening ceremony will also feature the crowning of the festival Queen and Royal Children, with special music by bands from Scandinavia.
There will also be a feature called Spot the Oddity, a shop window competition organised by Filey Chamber of Trade, which will take place all day and every day, with prizes on offer. Entry forms are available from Filey Tourist Information Centre.
Sunday's attractions include a music tribute to Cliff Richard at the little theatre and a performance by the East Yorkshire Motor Services Brass Band at Filey Methodist Church.
Monday sees the start of talent contest Filey Has Talent, with the semi-finals to follow on Wednesday and the final set to take place at 7.30pm on Friday.
Trophies sponsored by the Filey and Hunmanby Mercury will be given to the winners.
Highlights through the week include performances by the Filey Junior School Choir and the Beckdene Sisters on Tuesday and Razel Dazel on Thursday.
The event will climax with the traditional finale, Last Night of the Proms with the Scarborough Spa Orchestra at Filey Methodist Church next Sunday, July 5.
Running alongside the festival will be a series of events at Filey Library.
l Turn to pages 15-17 for a full preview of the festival, including all-important dates and times.
