Cartmel Racecourse is almost ready to ring in its racing season with a schedule of events this spring bank holiday.
The season opener will commence on Saturday, May 25 with a line-up of seven races, and the first race starting at 4pm.
Whit Bank Holiday Monday on May 27 will see the first race at 2.20pm, and an evening of racing will take place on Wednesday, May 29, with the first race starting at 6.20pm.
Cartmel Racecourse's director of racing, Geraldine McKay, said: "The whole team here at the racecourse is very excited to welcome everyone back.
"At Cartmel it isn’t just a race day, it is about the whole event and friends and family coming together and the enjoyment of our visitors.
"There’s a real tradition of families coming back year after year.
"People say summer is not summer until you have been to Cartmel races, and we are very grateful for that, and a lot of what we do is to keep that magic."
As usual, Cartmel Racecourse will be a beehive of activities from as early as 9am, with restaurants opening at 1pm.
Entertainment will come in through music and trade stands buzzing with activities.
A smaller version of the Cartmel Show will be introduced this year on the season-opening Saturday.
The show will feature a dedicated marquee with livestock, petting animals, vintage tractors, 'have a go at judging' and a range of fun family games.
"We have never done this on a race day before and we had to get special permission from the BHA, so we are really delighted to be able to offer this as an extra on the season opener Saturday," said Ms McKay.
There will also be a funfair, DJs on each side of the park, and a modern-style brass band.
Ms McKay said: "As usual people are welcome to come along and set up their ‘base camps,’ bring their dogs, their own furniture and have picnics to enjoy the music and the atmosphere, to make a superb day of it."
Visitors can saunter to the village bars and restaurants or visit Cartmel Priory to add to the experience.
The racecourse's Parade Ring Restaurant will also open its doors on Saturday.
Based in a tent setting, the restaurant will serve in a slightly less formal ambiance to that of the restaurant upstairs, with one side opening right onto the parade ring.
Meanwhile, horses from all over the UK and Ireland will grace the occasion and take on local trainer and Cheltenham Festival winner, Jimmy Moffatt.
Helping him will be Barrow-based jockey Charlotte Jones who is quite popular with the crowd.
Ms McKay said: "Cartmel wasn’t built and designed as a racecourse, we have managed to deliver racing within the confines of this beautiful valley, and this means that things which are normally behind the scenes at other courses, are really front and centre here.
“You can see people coming with their horses and caring for them, see the activity around cooling them off after racing.
"To get from the stables to the parade ring they walk up the home straight in front of everyone - and that is some sight.
“It is going to be a brilliant day.
"Cartmel Racecourse is like nowhere else.
"For someone who has never been before it is quirky in the best sense.”
After the season's opener, fans should gear up for other thrilling highlights including a Britpop night featuring Definitely Oasis, The Real Stone Roses and Clint Boonon June 28.
This will be followed by the Jurassic Jumps Family Funday on June 30 and a party and DJ set from Vernon Kay on July 20,
All activities wind down with Cartmel Cup Day on August 24 and the Bank Holiday Season Finale on August 26.
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