A celebration of rural life, farming and north Norfolk's rich history is set to coincide with Norfolk Day.

North Norfolk News: For more than 50 years Worstead Village Festival has been promoting and celebrating local crafts, produce and North Norfolk heritage.Picture: MARK BULLIMOREFor more than 50 years Worstead Village Festival has been promoting and celebrating local crafts, produce and North Norfolk heritage.Picture: MARK BULLIMORE (Image: Archant Norfolk 2015)

Originally founded in 1964 to help raise funds for the village church, for more than 50 years Worstead Festival has been promoting and celebrating local crafts, produce and north Norfolk heritage.

And this year, the popular festival, which will take place over the weekend of July 27 and 28 in Worstead, will coincide with Norfolk Day.

It is set to feature around 100 stalls, a farmer's market, vintage tractors and rural displays.

There will also be cookery demonstrations from some of the county's top chefs, including Richard Bainbridge and Ashley Williamson of Benedicts in Norwich and Daniel Smith and Alex Clare of the Ingham Swan.

North Norfolk News: Norfolk Day will return for a second year. Picture: ArchantNorfolk Day will return for a second year. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant)

There will be live music from local bands, craft workshops and fairground games to keep children entertained throughout the festival.

With a long history of championing local producers, this year festival organisers have renewed the event's focus on the environment. A spokesperson for the festival said: 'This year, building on the long and successful history of the festival and the return of some festival favourites, there is a renewed focus on local producers.

'We're engaging with the biggest issue facing us today – protecting our rural community and the environment for generations to come.'

Jane Bond, chairman of the trustees of Worstead Festival, added the organising team were extremely proud that the festival will coincide with Norfolk Day. She said: 'Our mission is to raise money for local good causes by promoting the crafts, produce and heritage of Worstead and north Norfolk, and we know the publicity and excitement around Norfolk Day will get people out having fun and revelling in the best our country has to offer.'

The Worstead Festival will take place from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28. Tickets are £6, and free for under 12s.

• Norfolk Day will take place on Saturday, July 27, and will celebrate all things Norfolk. The aim is to get as many individuals, groups and businesses organising events as possible. To get involved email norfolkday@archant.co.uk, tweet @norfolk using #NorfolkDay or log on to the Norfolk Day Facebook group.