Organisers of the Sidbury Fair Week are hoping for good weather during the annual celebration.

The eight-day event will begin with a scarecrow competition and the horticultural show tomorrow (Saturday).

Scarecrows should be brought to the Parish Rooms between 10am and noon.

Prizes will be given out to the best adult and child creation.

Across the way, at the Village Inn, judges will looking for the best in show. The general public will be able to view the exhibitions from 1pm.

Proceeds from a vegetable auctions will be split between the Admiral Nurse Campaign and the Devon Air Ambulance Trust

On Sunday, September 13, participants will be limbering up for the 17th fun run and walk.

Organiser Nancy Craven said she is expecting a mad dash of late entrants before the day.

She said: “We are all good to go, all the road closures are made, we have a new route and all our marshals are ready.

“We always have a lot of people sign up after they are able to check the weather forecast.”

The new route this year is starting and finishing outside the social club in Ridgeway, going through the manor grounds. The new course will also take participants off the main road, meaning that some part of the trail would be unsuitable for wheelchair users.

The long course has been set at 5.5km for adults and teenagers, a shorter course for children measures 2.3km.

Participants need to register by 11am on the day or can pick up an entry form from the Red Lion Inn or Drews Butchers.

On Monday, September 14, The Red Lion will be holding a quiz evening.

Teams of up to four people can put their brains to the test from 7.30pm. Entry costs £5 per team.

Church Street will be packed with crowds wanting to take part in the throwing of the hot pennies, which will begin at noon on Tuesday, September 15.

Organisers are calling on amateur photographers both young and old to take part in this year’s display and competition which will be held at St Giles’ Church from September 16 to September 19.

The theme is ‘off the beaten track’.

Sidbury Fair Day begins at 10am on Wednesday, September 16, with an array of stalls including local produce and a craft fair.

The day will also feature clay pigeon shooting at Sidbury Manor Grounds, the Jordan Cross memorial duck race at 3.30pm and livestock and poultry sale.

Sue Gooding, secretary for the fair, said: “It is a lovely local event, there are a lot of people who used to have connections [with Sidbury] and come back for Sidbury Fair Day. We are hoping the weather is nice for the week.”

On Thursday, Caroline Trude, the county chairman of the Young Farmers’ Club, will address the harvest thanksgiving service at 7.30pm in St Giles’ Church.

Concluding the week is the equestrian pleasure ride at Sidbury Manor.

Entry costs £10 for children and £15 adults. For more information about times, contact Jan Prettejohn on 07989 436105.