MARSDEN residents will soon be going cuckoo over their annual village spring festival.
Cuckoo Day has been celebrated in Marsden for the past 12 years and marks the start of spring.
It is based on a legend which tells of villagers trying to trap a cuckoo to prolong spring in the village.
They built a wall round the bird, but could not prevent it flying off.
This year's Cuckoo Day celebrations will take place from April 22 to April 24.
They have been organised by the Marsden Moor branch of the National Trust, Marsden Community Association and members of St Bartholomew's and Marsden United churches.
Cash backing has come from the National Trust, The Cuckoo's Nest charity shop, Kirklees Council's Colne Valley Area Committee and all-male Marsden theatre troupe the Yorkshire Avalanche Dodgers.
Philip Thomson, chairman of the organising committee, said: "Originally, it was organised by The National Trust, for which I am a volunteer.
"But over the last three years we have tried to involve the Marsden community more. There has been a great deal of success with that."
Cuckoo Day will kick off on the evening of Friday, April 22, with a ceilidh at Marsden Mechanic's Hall. It starts at 8pm and will feature local group The Fusspots. Tickets cost £6.
There will be folk music at the Riverhead pub from 9pm. Musicians and floor singers are being sought for this event.
There will also be an evening Catch the Cuckoo walk for families from 7pm. A guide will explain the story of Cuckoo Day to the walkers.
The main celebrations will take place from 10am on Saturday April 23.
Indoor events - including theatre shows, music and children's entertainment - will be taking place in the Mechanic's Hall, the United Church, St Bartholomew's and Marsden Conservative Club.
Outdoors, there will be music from Marsden Junior Band, clog and morris dancing, children's entertainment, a treasure hunt and maypole dancing.
A new feature - a moorland fire prevention information stall - will be in Argyle Street.
The Grand Cuckoo Procession will take place at 3pm, led by Marsden Silver Prize Band.
Then at 4pm, the annual duck race will be launched from Mellor Bridge.
The owner of the first plastic duck to reach the Riverhead pub will win £150.
The final day of the festival - Sunday, April 24 - will include a special Cuckoo Day service at the United Church from 10.30am. There will also be maypole dancing in front of the church.
For further information on Cuckoo Day phone 01484 847016.
