A celebration of Norfolk's farming bounty is expected to draw 5,000 people into Norwich's Cathedral Close today for an event aiming to bring the countryside into the heart of the city.

Livestock, machinery, food and music will combine to mark the season as Norfolk HarFest returns for its second year, organised by the team behind the Royal Norfolk Show.

The Cloisters will be transformed into a farmers' market where visitors will be able to try food and drink from more than 30 artisan producers, selling locally-made delicacies ranging from cheese and chutney to gin and vodka. There will also be a live entertainment stage and displays of animals including Jelly the Jersey cow, chickens, miniature donkeys, sheep, pigs and goats.

Mark Nicholas, show and programmes director for the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA), said: 'Bringing agriculture into the city is really important. It would have been very easy for us to put on another event at the Norfolk Showground, but the whole point is that we wanted to bring this exciting event into the heart of the city.

'We are using the seasonal theme of the harvest to say: 'Look at all this great stuff going on in Norfolk'. We have got local produce, working farmers and machinery – but what will be really unique is the presence of livestock in the middle of the city.

'Another highlight is going to be this super farmers' market in the Cloisters. That is going to be stunning, with over 30 businesses booked in.'

Mr Nicholas said the event would complement the city's autumnal beer festival season – a point underlined by the appearance of Great Yarmouth brewery Lacons as the headline sponsor. And he hopes the 2017 HarFest will build on the unexpected popularity of its inaugural year in 2016.

'It was a trial last year,' he said. 'We expected about 800 people and we got 3,500, so I think it is fair to say we are expecting 5,000 this year. It is a great location, and we hope that by holding a free event on a Saturday in the middle of Norwich will make it as easy as possible for people to attend.'

Norfolk HarFest will take place at Norwich Cathedral from 10am-4pm on Saturday. The traditional Harvest Thanksgiving service will be held at Norwich Cathedral the following day, at 3.30pm.