THERE is plenty to do across Ryedale this May Day Bank Holiday weekend, from running to railways.

Here is a quick rundown of just some of the things going on:

  • The 2019 Tour de Yorkshire has just the slightest brush with Ryedale. The closest it will get to the district is on Saturday, May 4, when stage three of the race will take some of the world’s top cyclists from Bridlington, north up the coast and across the moors to Whitby, before doubling back and finishing in Scarborough.
  • The 19th annual Kirkbymoorside 10k takes place on Sunday, May 5. One of the best races in Yorkshire, the race card also includes a children's dash, one-mile and 4k fun races. As usual, the funds raised are shared between the Friends of Kirkbymoorside Primary School and the Gillamoor School PTA. The race is also proud of its links to local sponsors and businesses. There are still a few places left - enter now at kirkbymoorside10k.com.
  • The 2019 Beadlam Tractor Run will also be held on May 5. The legendary event has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity over the years. For more see beadlamtractor.co.uk.
  • Over the Bank Holiday weekend of May 4, 5 and 6, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway will once again open its doors and invite the public to learn about the inner workings of a heritage railway, as well as quirky demonstrations and a sneak peek behind usually closed doors. With an array of events at Pickering, Levisham and Grosmont, there is a huge amount to see. For more information, or to pre-book tickets, visit nymr.co.uk.
  • Castle Howard will play host to a festival of dogs from May 4 to 6. Canines and their families will find plenty to entertain with a full list of events. See castlehoward.co.uk for more.
  • Youngsters have been busy preparing for Slingsby’s annual Scarecrow and May Day festival. The village will be transformed with handmade scarecrows from noon on Saturday, May 4 to Monday, May 6. Entries will be displayed around the village and scarecrow trails will be available to buy for £2 from a pop-up café in the Methodist Chapel, Robin Hood Caravan Park or the village shop. The café will be serving refreshments and homemade cake and savouries, and will run alongside a stall selling pre-loved children’s items. On May Day itself, Monday May 6, celebrations start at 11am with dancing round the Maypole by school children, and the Minster stray dancers and music from Swinton brass band, and the Charity brass band. The annual scarecrow festival raises funds for the Friends of Slingsby School.
  • Maypole dancing will also get Sinnington’s annual spring fair off on the right foot, with children from the village primary school kicking off the fair, which runs on Monday, May 6, from 2pm to 4pm. The youngsters have also designed posters for the fair and they will be on display in the Methodist Chapel. Visitors will be able to enjoy various games and refreshments as part of a busy afternoon for all the family. There is a fun dog show, a wide range of stalls selling home baking, plants, bric-a-brac and books. Other attractions include a chance to test your skills at welly-wanging and the duck race on the River Seven. Jane Staley, one of the organisers, says a major aim is to ensure there is plenty to do at the fair. “We attract a wide range of generations and we always make sure there are fun events that everyone can join in,” she added.