AFTER months of planning, the Pina Colada Festival will make its tropically triumphant return to Northwich in August.

The utterly unique festival, which was the brainchild of Tom Barrow, became a viral sensation when it debuted last year.

Rupert Holmes - the man behind the number one hit ‘Escape: The Pina Colada Song’ – and the inspiration behind the event, will sadly not be flying over but he has sent the town a special video message.

Wearing a Hawaiian-style shirt and drinking the cocktail he made famous, he said: "I may have invented the Pina Colada Song, but Northwich invented me.

“The festival is a great free day of lots of events, including music and plenty of what was one time my favourite beverage.

“And don’t worry about the weather, because as the song goes - ‘if you like Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain – either way it’s going to be a fun event.

“Pina Colada Festival Northwich, we love you.”

Northwich Guardian: Rupert Holmes is the inspiration behind the festivalRupert Holmes is the inspiration behind the festival

The festival will be split across three main zones this year – Apple Market Place, Witton Quarter and Barons Square – with live music, including from a steel band, between 11am and 6pm.

Tom Barrow said: “The Pina Colada Festival has become an overall beacon of positivity for the town.

“And it’s fantastic that we have all the love and blessing from Rupert Holmes, the man himself!

“The festival is completely unique to Northwich and the fact that the cocktail is fast becoming synonymous with the town (in only its second year no-less) is testament to all the organisers and local businesses involved.

“Hopefully, this will be an annual event that will be built upon year-after-year.

“Who knows, in 20 years it could become the “fruitier version” of Glastonbury.

“I’m still holding out for a permanent ‘Pina Colada fountain’ in one of the town’s squares.

“Watch this space.”

Northwich Guardian: Tom Barrow at the first ever Pina Colada FestivalTom Barrow at the first ever Pina Colada Festival

As well as live music, there will be a surf simulator, a coconut shy, and you can also learn how to salsa, or instead, just sit back in a deck chair and image the swaying palm trees.

Adam Gerrard, from Northwich BID who are leading on the event, added: "We're planning a great day of fun that will make the streets feel tropical, even if it is chucking it down with rain.

“There's plenty of free activity for the whole family, and that's thanks to our partners Northwich Town Council, Barons Quay and Cheshire West and Chester members for their support in making this day happen.”

The Pina Colada Festival will take place on Saturday, August 20.