THE streets will be alive with music – not to mention food, drink and dance – when the town stages the annual Okehampton Festival of Food and Music on Saturday.

This year the event is welcoming new food producers, musicians and dance groups alongside long-time exhibitors.

The event runs from 9.30am to 3pm outside St James’s Church, in the Red Lion Yard, in the Museum of Dartmoor Life courtyard and at the Plume of Feathers.

And with the weather set fair for the weekend, town centre traders are hoping it will bring hundreds of visitors into town.

‘Everyone is very welcome to come along,’ said town councillor Christine Marsh. ‘It is such a big thing for everyone in the town and we hope that we will get plenty of visitors.’

The Festival of Food and Music was first held back in 2014 and aims to champion the creative spirit in the town and surrounding villages.

‘There is quite a strong creative community here, with lots of musicians and dance and this is a big opportunity to show that off,’ said Linda Harper, chairman of Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade. ‘It is a very community focused event, and gives everyone a chance to enjoy all that Okehampton has to offer.’

Gail Turner, of Donald’s Menswear, said: ‘It is a huge event for us, and this weekend is also the Ten Pubs Walk, so we can only hope that when they get back into town they will be hungry and thirsty!’

The dance programme includes performances from the Footsteps School of Dance, the OCRA Dance Project and women’s morris troupe Cogs and Wheels in Sticklepath.

The music programme meanwhile is being organised by Hollocombe Music Club who will be staging a full programme on their Music Room Live stage in Red Lion Yard.

Bands performing include Boys from Melbourne Street, One Point Five, Meand’er and the All Bar One Band.

‘We have about 12 bands taking part,’ said Linda. ‘We have got saxophone players, a flute player and people on guitar and banjo, so there’s quite a mixture. We have also got a 1950s rock and roll band.’

Michelle Symons, who runs A Little Gift Company in the Victorian Arcade, said: ‘It isn’t often that we have an event as big as this in Okehampton, apart from Edwardian Evening at Okehampton.

‘The town should be really busy.’

Among those taking part is the Harvest Workers’ Co-operative, who will be staging storytelling sessions on St James’ Street.

Kevin Cotter, from the co-operative, said: ‘I will be doing seasonal stories about what is in season, peas, greens and other fresh vegetables as well as evil bunny rabbits.

‘We’ll also be running creative play sessions.’

Also taking place this weekend is the All Saints Parish Church flower festival, which features displays on the theme of ‘peace’.

The festival runs on Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5pm and on Sunday from 1-5pm.

The flowers can also be appreciated during two Sunday services at the church, Family Communion at 11am and a Songs of Praise service at 6.30pm.