Visitors will come in their thousands to Oxfordshire for a long weekend packed full of exciting events for everyone. Sophie Mogridge previews some of the big hitters as the county gears up for three days of festivals and fun.

Oxfordshire will play host to a bumper set of events highlighting the best the county has to offer.

The Big Feastival is set to tickle the taste buds of visitors to Blur bassist Alex James’s farm in Kingham from today until Sunday.

Guests will be given the opportunity to enjoy delicious feasts and banquets by celebrity guests such as the Naked Chef himself, Jamie Oliver.

Katie Silver, one of the event organisers, said: “There is going to be a lot on offer this Bank Holiday weekend, including a cheese hub, wheat project and funfair.”

Music-wise, there will be a weekend of performances from sell-out artists such as Dizzee Rascal, Example, Ella Eyre and Paloma Faith.

There is more fine food to be had as MasterChef finalist Tony Rodd joins other top chefs at the 10th Oxford Foodies Festival.

Running in Oxford’s South Park from tomorrow to Monday, the event will be hosted by 2014 Masterchef winner Ping Coombes and food writer Anne Shooter.

Mr Rodd said: “It’s going to be a great weekend; I’m excited to be cooking for Oxford foodies.

“I look forward to tasting all the great artisan produce from the stands and meeting brilliant chefs that I admire.”

For four days and nights, Thame will become home to the best acoustic, folk and blues artists in the country as part of Towersey Festival.

From August today until Monday, the Thame Showground will feature stages, camping, arts, crafts, theatre, hands-on workshops and films, all in the Oxfordshire countryside.

Joe Heap, Towersey festival director, said: “We have hundreds of acts appearing across more than half-a dozen stages, including big names such as Joan Armatrading, Stornoway and Bellowhead, who are making their last official UK music festival appearance at Towersey.

“While the music is always a big draw, we also have loads of great family activities such as hands-on music and craft workshops, plus there’s also circus and street theatre performers, food, dance, and a well stocked bar featuring plenty of award-winning real ales from local independent breweries.

“Regular festival-goers often talk about Towersey as a ‘magical experience’ and ‘another lovelier world’ – who are we to argue?”

The 2015 Uffington White Horse show, which will be running on Sunday and Monday, will be offering visitors the chance to enjoy a stunt pilot display by Mark Jefferies and a Vulcan Bomber flypast.

In addition, the RAF Falcons Sky Divers will be putting on a display and there will be a show performed by The Rockwood Dog Display.

Event co-ordinator, Ed Trees, said: “There is going to be so much on offer, including a festival circus, dog agility and BMX bikers.

“It’s going to be a weird and wonderful day and we’re really looking forward to welcoming hundreds of people along.”

Bicester Advertiser:

  • Morris dancers at Towersey

For the petrol heads, Blenheim Palace’s Festival of Transport will run on Sunday and Monday.

The palace grounds will feature a host of cars, from classics to kits.

Martin Walker, of Experience Oxfordshire, said: “There is a lot going on in Oxfordshire this Bank Holiday weekend.”

OTHER TREATS

* A soul and Motown night in Garth Park, Bicester, tomorrow will welcome the Soulside Band to perform a variety of classic numbers. 
* The Woodstock festival runs from tomorrow to Sunday, with a packed line-up of bands performing on the town centre stage. 
* The Wantage Carnival will be running in the Market Place on Sunday. There will be fairground rides, food and stalls on offer. 
* Yarnton Manor Festival will be held tomorrow, where there will be fireworks, music and food. 
* The Bampton Donkey Derby will take place in Sandford Field on Monday. Apart from the child jockeys, there will be Aunt Sally, crockery smashing and more. 
* Littlemore fayre will also be held on Monday at The George Inn, where families can enjoy fairground rides, sumo wrestling and a bouncy castle. 
* A village fete and fun dog show is scheduled on Monday at the village hall, Salford, near Chipping Norton, where dog agility, BMX biking and tug of war will take place.