YOU can enjoy a traditional summer fair with a difference today during a major event to celebrate the unique character of Derby Road and Canning Circus.
Head to this lively shopping district from 10am to 5pm to sample the excellent shopping, entertainment and food and drink available – including an unusually high cluster of independent shops, bars and businesses.
The summer fair will feature entertainment, workshops, competitions and in-store promotions – plus food, live music and family fun. There will even be bunting and store front decorations all along Derby Road and Canning Circus to evoke the feel of a traditional village fete.
Among the highlights will be the BBC Big Busk at Canning Circus, featuring a piano which can be booked by experienced and novice singers and entertainers alike. It's all to mark the tenth anniversary of the passing of one of Nottingham busker Frank "The Xylophone Man" Robinson.
Other activities include:
Traditional stocks, made by wooden furniture specialists Brown Dog Interiors, Derby Road.
Giant puppets and costumed characters, created by City Arts, walking around the streets.
Artist demonstrations at Focus Gallery, Derby Road.
Beer tasting and cream teas at the Hand and Heart pub.
Best Notts Dog photography competition at interiors store Le Chien et Moi.
Schools painting competition at Lime Gallery/Framework, Derby Road.
Pavement café at The Falcon Inn.
Cakes and hot drinks stall at The Footman's Rest, Canning Circus.
Craft workshops, including those all-important loom bands at The Number One Bead Shop, Derby Road.
Competitions and food at the Sir John Borlase Warren pub.
Best allotment photo competition at The Worm That Turned, Derby Road.
Come and Play Day at Windblowers musical instruments specialists.
Find out more and follow the action at www.facebook.com/DerbyRoadNG1
Woodland Craft Weekend, Sherwood Forest Country Park, today and Sunday, 10am-3pm: Learn how to make a two-part crook stick at this two-day course with the park's expert rangers. £40 per person. Book on 01623 823202.
Wetlands and Wildlife of the Jubilee Campus, University of Nottingham, today, 1pm-3pm: Family friendly tour led by ecologist Mark Woods. Meet at the flagpole at Wollaton Road car park. Book on 07825 753993. Free.
Tour de Broxtowe, Broxtowe Country Park, Broxtowe Estate, today, 2pm till late. Family event to celebrate the arrival of the Tour de France in Britain with entertainment including BMX and scooter demos, music, games, races, bouncy castle and stalls. Then, from 8.30pm stay for a spectacular outdoor cinema screening of Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. Free. More details at www.travelright.org.uk/nottingham.
Community Fun Day, Lenton Abbey Park, today, 1pm-5pm: Lots of entertainment and activities including samba, belly dancing, DJ workshops, graffiti art, bouncy castles, tennis lessons, mendhi (hand art decorations), delicious food and games. Free.
The Big Busk, various venues around the city centre, today, from 11am: Enjoy talented singers at 15 busking points around the city, then join BBC Radio Nottingham's Verity Cowley in the Old Market Square at 4pm as she leads a rousing mass finale performance of Pharrell Williams' "Happy."
Medieval Forest Life Weekend, Sherwood Forest Country Park, today and Sunday, 11am-4pm: Step back in time and enjoy a recreated medieval forest encampment with crafts, combat, archery, cooking and wood turning demonstrations. Parking £3.
Mini Miners, Bestwood Country Park, today, 10am-noon: Enjoy lots of fun activities at Dynamo House, including "tunnelling for coal" for the under fives (and you thought those days were over). Free.
Tenth Gala Day, Colwick Woods, Sunday, noon-4pm: Fun for all the family, including dog show, live music, belly dancing, archery, kick boxing, fancy hat competition, tombola, stalls, face painting and refreshments. Free.
Twelfth Great Nottingham Inclosure Walk, starting from Queen's Walk Recreation Ground, The Meadows, Sunday, 2pm: Unusual guided walk looking at some of the land given over to "the people" to use for recreation forever – passing through four lovely parks including The Arboretum and Forest Recreation Ground. Free.
