THE fourth annual Somerset Day on Friday, May 11, is set to be the best yet with dozens of events already organised.

Nigel Muers-Raby, chairman of Somerset Day organisers Passion for Somerset, said: "Somerset Day in 2018 promises to be a real celebration of and for Somerset."

The first Somerset Day was held in 2015 following a public vote that chose May 11 in honour of Alfred the Great, famous for routing the invading Vikings from his Somerset marshes stronghold in May 878.

Here are some of the events.

THURSDAY, MAY 10:

  • Cheese and Cider Night, Wincanton Racecourse, including live music from local band The Enrichments.
  • Made in Somerset, The White Hart and ACEarts, Somerton. More than 30 artisan stalls raising funds for Etatu charity.

FRIDAY, MAY 11 TO SUNDAY, MAY 12:

  • The Great Somerset Tea Party in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice Care, aiming to raise £26,000 - the cost of a day of care across all the hospice's services - through tea parties galore.

FRIDAY, MAY 11:

  • A-Z Challenge, with people visiting as many different businesses across Somerset, each beginning with a different letter of the alphabet.
  • Summer lunchtime concert, St John's Church, Park Street, Taunton. Gibby Swaine and Sue Watts with The StoggyMen with traditional Somerset music.
  • Pride of Somerset Youth Awards, Bridgwater and Taunton College Conference Centre, Taunton.
  • Somerset themed networking event Tea Party, Rural Enterprise Centre, Royal Bath and West Showground.
  • A Race Against Time: The Story of the Kenyon photographic archive, The Museum of Somerset.
  • Picture Somerset with artist Donna Vale, For Every Cloud Gallery, Langport. Somerset photos by professionals and amateurs.
  • Cothelstone Hill Heritage Walk to discover the archaeology and natural history of the hill.
  • Miles Tea and Coffee celebration Tea Party, Vale Yard, High Street, Porlock. Proceeds to St Margaret's Hospice.
  • Cider and Cheese Tasting with the Mendip Morrismen, Railway Inn, Sandford.
  • Clevedon Pier celebrating Somerset Day.

SATURDAY, MAY 12:

  • Somerset Food and Craft Fair and Flower Festival, Long Sutton Village Hall and Church.
  • Somerset Day Craft Fayre, Shapwick Village Hall.
  • eat:Taunton, Hammet Street and St Mary Magdalene Church. More than 70 local food and drink producers, with Hawksmoor Cookery School and The Retreat Demo Stage. Livestock, tractors and buskers.
  • Somerset Day Craft Fair, Bishops Lydeard Village Hall.
  • Celebrating Somerset Talent, Cedars Hall, Wells Cathedral School, in aid of the Somerset Hospice Movement. Featuring the Drystones Folk Duet, the Military Wives Choir, Yeovilton, and emerging musical talent, preceded by a Somerset food and drink reception.
  • Cheese and Cider Market, Market House, Castle Cary. Local artisan food and drink, buskers, beer and a ‘cow’ for children to milk.

SUNDAY, MAY 13:

  • Local Producer’s Fayre, Brean Leisure Park.
  • Somerset Garden Day. Connect with neighbours, family and friends and celebrate the fruits of your gardening labour, by wearing a flower crown.