WHILE it could be argued that every day is Yorkshire Day there is one day in the calendar set aside to celebrate everything great about the county. 

Events will take place across the weekend of August 1 and 2 although Saturday 1 is declared as official Yorkshire Day. 

Ryedale will host several events on the day and pubs, restaurants and cafes have been picked out by Yorkshire Day organisers to feature on various food and drink trails recommended for both residents and visitors to embark on over the weekend. 

The Castle Howard Run or Dye event will be held on Yorkshire Day as runners take on a five kilometre route in the grounds of the stately home while being splashed with colour. 

The Pickering traction engine rally also falls on Yorkshire Day weekend and will be held on the show field on Malton Road. The show is under new management this year and visitors can expect the usual steam and rail attractions as well as quirky additions such as archery and a parrot show. 

Yorkshire Day was created by the Yorkshire Ridings Society founded in 1974 to campaign for recognition that the Ridings of Yorkshire had not been abolished by local government changes. A year later the first Yorkshire Day was celebrated and since then the society’s North Riding Group has raised over £6,000 for local charities since forming in 1997. 

The society has suggested an ale trail, including Welburn’s The Crown and Cushion, a fish and chip trail featuring Scotts of Helmsley and a dairy to deli trail featuring Hunters of Helmsley, Cedarbarn Cafe, Pickering and Lavenders Tea Room and Delicatessen, Thornton-le-Dale. 

For more information on Yorkshire Day visit yorkshire.com