THE annual Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival will kick off this weekend and people from all around the area are being urged to go along and experience the ‘FAB’ weekend.

The festival will kick off on Friday at 5pm and will continue until Sunday evening and the festivals organisers are urging residents to go along and soak in the festival atmosphere.

Dave Thompson, Middlewich Town Council events manager and founder of the festival, said: “We hope people can come along and support the event because with the amount of entertainment we have this year, it is exciting to say the least.

“There is no reason why people can’t come down and join in the festival because all the venues are in easy walking distance and the vast majority is free which is fantastic in this day and age.

“We’ve had a record number of camping booked this year so we are hoping for a good turn out and hopefully the weather will be nice over the weekend.”

The entertainment on offer over the weekend will see a host of music from all corners of the world with Australian duo Hat Fitz and Cara returning on Friday to support the Ade Edmondson’s Bad Shepherds on the main stage from 7pm.

Entry for Friday’s event is £15 and gates open at 5pm.

Saturday will be kicked off by the Middlewich Rose Fete leading the procession and the crowning ceremony on the main stage at 11.30am.

The day, which is free to the public, will also boast a variety of cultural music with the Indian brass band Jaipar Kawa playing throughout the day with a performance on the main stage at 2pm and from the Kings Lock at 3pm.

Special guests on Sunday include the Brian McCombe Band from Brittany taking to the main stage at 5pm followed by a more intimate gig on the canal side at the Big Lock from 6pm.

As well as the entertainment the canal will be lined with a ‘floating market’ including boats selling sweets, artwork, and home brew equipment.