There is very much a cycle theme to this week’s Spirit Festival.

Thousands of people are expected to pour into Dewsbury on Saturday for a day and night of events.

Visitors are being encouraged to get there early, enjoy the festivities and listen to music from Kirklees Music School’s Street Band ReCycled Beat, the Ski Band and Dr Butler’s Hatstand Band.

They’ll also be able to check out the beautiful willow sculptures created by artist Carole Beavis with the help of local school children and those who are feeling creative can help artist Carole to create another of the large willow cyclists at either 10am or 1.30pm when she will be holding workshops in the Market Place.

After being on display at Spirit the sculptures will go on to be part of the Grand Départ celebrations during the main race weekend on July 5 and 6.

The Faceless Company will also be offering ‘Les Bicyclettes’ - wire sculpture workshop - in the Market Place at 10am and 1.30pm. Participants can create artwork which celebrates both cycling and Yorkshire’s sculptural heritage.

The main show ‘Luce’, by Theatre Tol, starts at 8pm and promises plenty of heat and passion as it charts the rivalry of two Italian cyclists competing to win races and the heart of the woman they both love.

The show is part of Yorkshire Festival 2014 – the first ever arts festival to precede the Tour de France in its 111 year history. Yorkshire Festival 2014 runs from March 27 to July 6 and features 47 events, which have been selected to be officially part of the Festival, as well as hundreds of fringe events. The Festival is backed by Welcome to Yorkshire, Yorkshire Water and the Arts Council England as well as Local Authorities across the county.

Clr Jean Calvert, Cabinet Member for Health, Well Being and Communities said: “I am delighted that we have once again been able to bring this spectacular event to North Kirklees. Visitors are in for a fantastic evening of entertainment from world class performers, and with activities for all the family there are plenty of reasons to spend some time enjoying what Dewsbury has to offer.’

“This event is one of the first taking place in Kirklees to mark the 100 days before the Grand Départ arrives in Yorkshire – I’d like to encourage everyone to get involved and be part of it.”

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