AROUND 5,000 visitors packed into the Dales village of Clapham over the weekend to take advantage of an exciting outdoor extra-vaganza, reports Ellie Hargreaves Fairies, boggarts, trolls and giants invaded the otherwise peaceful setting and, as well as street theatre, juggling, fire-eating and stilt-walking, a huge inflatable luminarium ensured the Festival of Magic, Myths and Legends was a highlight of the Yorkshire Dales National Park's 50th anniversary programme of events.

The multi-coloured Amozozo luminarium allowed those who entered the air-filled structure to journey into a world of soothing sounds and colours.

If visitors were not taking part in sing-alongs or watching birds of prey in action, they could learn raku kiln firing, bread making, tree dressing, woodcarving and shoemaking. A Stone Age settlement at Trow Gill demonstrated how local ancestors might have lived, and as well as a farmers' market offering a mouth-watering selection of local produce, there was a 12-foot high fairytale castle lantern created from willow.

On Saturday, a lantern-lit procession through a haunted wood introduced valiant visitors to trolls, white lions, knights in armour, a Viking ship and an amazing burning giant.

Acting media officer for the YDNPA, Alex Waddington, said the two-day activities, which were blessed with fine weather, had proved a huge success. "We have had some extremely positive feedback about the festival," he said. "It encouraged hundreds of extra walkers to the area which is excellent and the dozens of volunteers who were involved have said they enjoyed themselves very much.

"There was something for everyone; the inflatable luminarium at Trow Gill was extremely popular and had to be left open longer than we planned on the Sunday because visitors were desperate to see it."

A number of local performers from various schools and arts groups helped to provide the entertainment, with sell-out highlights including a performance of The Three Birds by Settle High School pupils in Ingleborough Cave and a gig by the blues band Smokin' the Swarm. The proceeds of the festival which are expected to total several thousand pounds - will go to local community projects and charities.