Summer is hotting up and there are dozens of events happening across the county this weekend. Here's our pick of what not to miss....

 

1. The Bournemouth Food and Drink Festival.

Bournemouth Echo: TUCK IN: Visitors at the Bournemouth Food and Drink Festival

The fourth year of this ten day event will feature street food from all over the world, including freshly prepared Thai noodles, curries, sushi, Normandy crêpes and wood-fired, hand-stretched Neapolitan pizzas cooked to order in under 90 seconds. There are French tarts, German salamis, Greek cheeses and Italian ice creams and Mexican tacos served straight from a 1962 Routemaster double-decker bus.

If that's not enough to make you salivate, there's a farmers and producers market, cocktail masterclasses, open air workshops and lots of live music. There's a Kids Kitchen, featuring cooking for the over 5s, and new this year, four restaurant hops - four meals spread over sixteen restauarants. Get the details at bournemouthfoodanddrink.co.uk or use the hashtag #bfdf14 on Twitter.

2. Watch a 24-hour Ukulele-athon

Take your children to watch the finale of the Coda Ukulele Band's 24-hour Uke-thon in Christchurch on Saturday - part of the Coda Music Centre Open Day, which features workshops for children aged 6 and over in a range of instruments. More at coda.org.uk/contact

3. Get all vintage in Southbourne

Bournemouth Echo: Shake and Stir Vintage Festival by the Sea

From this evening until Sunday evening, it's going all retro in Southbourne at the award-winning Shake and Stir festival. There's music and dancing tonight, while Saturday sees classic cars, a vintage fair, treasure hunt, live music and dance classes as well a variety of food and drink stands. All the daytime activities are free but tickets are required to enter The Vintage Village between 7pm to 11pm. Details on their website.

4. Race through Ferndown in a pram

Bournemouth Echo: Ferndown's first ever Pram Race takes place to raise money for the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation.

Grown men and women will turn into 'babies' for the second year running at the Ferndown Pram Race. Last year, hundreds turned out to watch participants race giant prams - complete with 'giant babies' - through the town, stopping to down pints at local pubs along the route.

The Pram Race, which is strictly for adults, will see teams of runners pushing huge prams between Ferndown pubs. At each pub, the participants must down a pint, which can be a soft drink, before dashing to the next pub.

Although most of those taking part will be on foot, each team will have a 'baby' sitting in the pram. Along the route there will be pitfalls and forfeits that each team must undertake before continuing the race. It starts at 1pm at the Old Thatch on Wimborne Road on Saturday. Visit ferndownfestival.co.uk for more info.

4. Take your dog to a show

Bournemouth Echo: Waggy tails at fun dog show

Animal rescue charity Waggy Tails are holding their annual fun dog show day at West Parley Memorial Hall on Saturday There will be novelty classes, stalls, and 'dogs reunited', a parade of dogs homed by Waggy Tails. It's at West Parley Memorial Hall & Recreation Ground from 12pm.

5. Get Wiped Out at Poole Park

Teams will be taking part in a Total Wipeout style event at Poole Park on Saturday afternoon to raise money for Poole Hospital Charity. The wacky fundraiser, which starts at 1.30pm, will see people tackle an inflatable assault course in water.

6. Test your taste buds at the new Cheese and Chilli Festival

Basically, if you like cheese, and you like chillies, you'll love this new two-day event at Bournemouth Sports Club at Chapel Gate. Highlights include a free wine masterclass, a talk about cheese and beer combinations and if you're feeling brave there is also a Chilli Eating Competition.

 And if you need to cool your palate afterwards, there is a Real Ale Festival hosted by Ringwood Brewery in the club house, featuring a huge selection of award-winning real ales, cider, wine and lager.

There's plenty of entertainment for the kids with a monster inflatable slide, fun fair, music bus, face painting, balloon building, magic shows and a circus skills workshop.

Admission is £5 per adult, children free and parking is also free. From 10am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.


7. Count the Jack Sparrow impersonators at Harry Paye Day

Bournemouth Echo: Harry Paye Day 2013

Long before Captain Jack, Poole's favourite black sheep Harry Paye was making piracy look glamorous. Saturday's event is the town annual chance to raise a glass to him.

It starts with the colourful Parade of Pirates along Poole Quay at noon, followed by cannon, musket and fencing displays, belly dancers and baton twirlers and a traditional Aunt Sally stall.

There will be plenty to entertain children with rides, teddy bear stall, face painting and storytelling with Pirate Pete. Expect grog, Johnny Depp lookalikes and at least one parrot.

 

8. Race for Life

Bournemouth Echo: Race for Life kicks off in Poole Park

On Sunday it's Poole's turn to cheer on the thousands of women taking part in this year's Race for Life - and if you fancy it there are still places in the afternoon 5k event at Poole Park. All the details at raceforlife.org

9. Get on your bike

Bournemouth Echo: VIEWS: Poole Bay

Sunday sees the return of the Sky Ride to Bournemouth seafront, with a slow and steady ride along the length of Poole Bay. Starting at the Pier, the route heads out to Sandbanks before returning all the way to Hengistbury Head and back to the Pier. For lovely sea views, join the crowd at 10am on Sunday morning at Pier Approach.

10. Run a 10k to celebrate the Summer Solstice

Bournemouth Echo: Pictures from the Autism Wessex 10k run at Moors Valley Country Park

There's still time to enter the Autism Wessex Summer Solstice 10k & Fun Run - tonight at 7pm, Moors Valley Country Park. More details on the Autism Wessex site.

11. Wool Carnival

World Cup spirit comes to Wool tomorrow for the popular annual carnival. The theme is countries of the 2014 tournament and a parade will start at 11.15am for a circuit of the village and concludes at the D'Urberville Centre playing fields which serve as a main arena with stalls, entertainment and refreshments.

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