More than 50 market traders from across the country will be setting out their stalls in Parliament Street for York's Easter Fayre next weekend (Thursday, March 28 to Saturday, March 30).

Spring plants and flowers will be jostling for space with crafts and gifts at the fayre, which is the third in a series of special market events for 2002.

The monthly farmers' markets have been joined by a whole range of events, including a pot fair, continental and a Yorkshire Day market. It is also hoped that a Commonwealth Market will be held to mark the Golden Jubilee.

Next week's fayre will also feature a 'Yorkshire Pantry' section featuring specialist, tasty and tempting foods. It will be preceded by a one day farmers' market on Wednesday, March 27, also in Parliament Street.

Paul Barrett, the council's markets manager, said, "Our event markets have become more and more popular with visitors and locals alike. They offer an alternative and ever-changing attraction to our city centre and the Easter Fayre is no exception with on highlight being traders' Easter Bonnet competition on the Saturday of the Fayre!"

The council is also running an annual Easter fair - a family funfair event - down at St George's Field Car Park which opens on Thursday (March 28) evening and then runs each afternoon and evening up to Sunday, April 7.

That is part of a whole package of events the council is running or supporting over the bank holiday period and the school break with schools breaking up tomorrow (Friday, March 22).

Highlights include an Easter Egg-stravaganza at Rowntree Park, an international youth basketball camp at Huntington School, play scheme activities for younger children, a 'com-motion' event at the National Centre for Early Music, several hand-on events at York City Art Gallery and a full holiday 'Lively in the Library' programme at York libraries.

A special Viking Voyagers Viking ships exhibition is also being staged at the Jorvik Museum throughout the holiday between 9am and 5:30pm each day with normal admission charges applying. Places can be booked by calling 01904 543403 or visiting www.vikingjorvik.com END The full programme:

Saturday, March 23 o Theatre Royal, 'International Connections' programme which begins today (Thursday, March 21) - two shows per evening at £5/£4 - Youth Theatre Yorkshire's 'Olive' by Tasmin Oglesby; Theatre Royal's 'Nuts' by Jackie Kay; Stagewrite's 'Take Away' also by Jackie Kay and Huntington School's 'The Exam' by Andy Hamilton. Anyone seeking more information should contact the box office on 01904 623568 for tickets. o Platform 4 Theatre, at the National Railway Museum, March 23, 24, 30 and 31 featuring short plays telling stories about the collections. Performances last about 30 mins and usually take place at 10.50am, noon, 1pm and 2.50pm. More details on 01904 686230

Monday, March 25 o Yorkshire International Basket Ball Camps (for Year 8 and Below on March 25 and 26 March and for Year 9 and above on March 27 and 28 - both at Huntington School. Contact 01904 431161 (evenings only) for more details. o York Playspace Easter Schemes for five to eleven-year-olds between March 25 and March 28. £1 per child per session at Fulford Social Hall, Foxwood Community Centre, Acomb Methodist Church Hall (9.30am to 11.30am); Clifton Moor Church and Community Centre, Southlands Methodist Church Hall, Tang Hall Primary School (1.30pm and 3.30pm). Details from York Play Space on 01904 627285. o Easter Egg-stravaganza! At Rowntree Park between 1.30pm and 3pm. Children can join in the hunt for eggs, have their face painted, play on the bouncy castle or get a henna tattoo. Details from Michelle Bainbridge on 01904 553399 o Lively in the Library: Easter Stories and Crafts at York Central Library, 2.15pm - 3.30pm for five to ten-year-olds. All places on Lively in the Library events are limited. Anyone wishing to attend should get a free ticket from the hosting Library. Tuesday, March 26 o Easter Egg-stravaganza! At West Bank Park between 1.30pm and 3pm (similar to events at Rowntree Park on Monday)

o Yorkshire International Basket Ball Camps and York PlaySpace Easter Scheme (see Mondays) Wednesday, March 27 o Easter Egg-stravaganza! at Batchelor Hill between 1.30pm and 3pm (see Monday's programme) o Farmers' Market - Parliament Street o A Brush With York at York City Art Gallery. Led by John Gilbert, participants will have the opportunity to create their own roofscapes of York. Suitable for ages 11 and over (own paper and paints required) between 10am and 12.30pm and 2pm and 4:30pm. More details from the art gallery on 01904 551861 booking essential, gallery entrance charge only, free to YorkCard Holders. o Yorkshire International Basket Ball Camps and York PlaySpace Easter Scheme (as Monday) o Lively in the Library: Roald Razzamatazz at Tang Hall Library, 10am to- 11.30am for seven to 12-year-olds; Roald Razzamatazz at Acomb Library, 2pm to 3.30pm for seven to 12-year-olds Thursday, March 28 o Easter Fayre Market at Parliament Street o Easter Fun Fair - St Georges Field (afternoons until 10pm) o Yorkshire International Basket Ball Camps and York PlaySpace Easter Scheme (as Monday) o Lively in the Library: Wes Magee Poetry Workshop at New Earswick Library, 10am to 11.30am, for seven to 12-year-olds; Wes Magee Poetry Workshop at Poppleton Library, 2pm to 3.30pm for seven to 12-year-olds; storytime at Clifton Library, 2pm to 3.30pm for the under-fives

Friday, March 29 o Easter Fayre Market - Parliament Street and Easter Fun Fair - St Georges Field (as Thursday) Saturday, March 30 o Easter Fayre Market - Parliament Street and Easter Fun Fair - St Georges Field (as Thursday) o Platform 4 Theatre at the National Railway Museum (as Saturday) Sunday, March 31 o Easter Fun Fair - St George's Field (as Thursday) o Platform 4 Theatre at the National Railway Museum (as Thursday) Monday, April 1 o Easter Fun Fair - St George's Field (as Thursday) Tuesday, April 2 o Easter Fun Fair - St George's Field (as Thursday) o com-motion at the National Centre for Early Music. For ages nine to 14. A project using exciting digital technology that turns movement into music. Tuesday until Friday, April 5 -10am to 3pm each day - £5 with a performance on Friday, April 5 at 6pm (tickets £3 full price, £1.50 Conc). Application forms and more details from Cathy Dew on 01904 632220 (or e-mail cathy.dew@yorkearlymusic.org) Wednesday, April 3 o Pottery Workshops led by Gail Fox at York City Art Gallery. Suitable for all ages. 10.30am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm. For details contact the Art Gallery on 01904 551861. Booking essential, gallery entrance charge only, free to YorkCard Holders

Thursday, April 4 o Brushing with Nature: An Introduction to the Exhibition, at York City Art Gallery. Lunchtime tour by Curator of York City Art Gallery, Richard Green - 12.30pm. No need to book, meet in exhibition room. gallery entrance charge only, free to YorkCard Holders. For details contact the Art Gallery on 01904 551861 o Lively in the Library: Drumming Workshop at Clifton Library, 11am-11.45am, 11-16-year-olds; Drumming Workshop at Burton Stone Community Centre, 2.30pm to 3.15pm, for 11 to 16-year-olds; Drumming Workshop at York Central Library, 5.15pm to 6pm, 11 to 16-year-old (Tickets for the Drumming session at Burton Stone Community Centre are available from Steve Rouse on 07767 318088) Friday, April 5 o 'com-motion' - performance at the National Centre for Early Music. 6pm, tickets £3 full price, £1.50 Conc (see Tuesday, April 2) o Lively in the Library - Storytime at New Earswick Library, 2.30pm to 3.30pm for the under fives.