STAITHES.- Dinosaurs will reappear along a section of the North York Moors Jurassic coastline at Staithes during the fifth annual festival celebrating the area’s creative vibe and rich heritage this September.

The giant galvanized steel Pterodactyl and Pleiosaur dinosaurs will be an eye-opening focal point in the fishing harbour of the diminutive historic village during the Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage over the weekend 10-11 September.

The dinosaurs, crafted by renowned sculptor Emma Stothard, will take pride of place as visitors wander through the cobbled streets and ginnels enjoying the displays of art, sculpture and crafts in more than 100 pop-up galleries squeezed into the village’s tiny cottages, shops and tea rooms.

The festival, which last year attracted over 5000 visitors, will also feature one of the world’s largest glow stick art installations (using 12,000 glow sticks) courtesy of light artist Mick Stephenson that will transform the beach into a multi-coloured wonderland during the evening.

Also after dark, a Fire Dragon created by industrial sculptor Andy Shaw will breathe ‘flames’ to ward off the chill of the evening and an outdoor cinema will show images and film footage of the village’s rich past with a live piano accompaniment.

Meanwhile local historians will lead visitors on a time travelling adventure to those days when dinosaurs roamed, when smuggling was rife, before fast forwarding to the 19th century when Staithes became an artists’ colony and the era when rail travel changed the face of the area.

Together with bands, buskers and sea shanty concerts performed by the Men of Staithes; workshops by Teesside artist and Eton drawing master Ian Burke; and a plethora of places serving great food, there’s plenty to keep visitors entertained.

The festival, which is supported by the North York Moors National Park and the Coastal Communities Fund, is free to enter and the galleries are open daily from 10am-5.30pm. Entertainment continues into the evening.