A PLATFORM for musicians, poets and all-round entertainers is one of the latest attractions to FAB festival as the event looks to bring 25,000 visitors to the town

The festival takes place from Thursday, June 13 to Sunday, June 16 and the town will host performances from Toploader and Showaddywaddy.

Dave Thompson, events manager Middlewich Town Council, said: “We’re on schedule and it’s all systems go, we are just praying that the weather holds up.

“The biggest change we have this year is the Professor Panic Circus which will be on the Market Field all weekend. There are no animals involved and it’s fantastic for the children and we may let a few adults in if they have behaved themselves.

“The organising is going well but we are just hoping the weather is nice because it makes such a difference to the fringe events in the pubs as well as the floating market.”

Despite FAB festival being under two weeks away, Dave Thompson revealed that there is still no time to relax.

“Everything is going really well but it is our job to make sure everything is ready and in place for the start of the festival for everyone to have a brilliant weekend.”

One of the latest additions is the St Luke’s Busking Bus which will be parked in the town wharf during the festival.

The bus will host a performance by the Lostock Ukulele Group and a number of local performers including the Northwich Pop Choir and the new band For Lack of a Better Name.

Rachel Hughes, from St Luke’s Hospice said: “The bus will be parking up on Friday, June 14 in the evening and it will be open on the Saturday and Sunday from midday until 5pm.

“We still have a one-hour slot available on the Sunday if anyone would like to come and play a few songs.

“Even if people who come down on the day want to play a song and we have time to fit them we should be able to.”

There will also be collection buckets there with the proceeds going to St Luke’s Hospice.

Anyone interested in performing on the bus should contact Rachel on 01606 555881.

Toploader will be performing on the Friday night with singer-songwriter Emma Stevens, Macclesfield-based rock duo The Virginmarys and The Peacocks.

The Saturday night is free to attend and features performances from Showaddywaddy and there is also a ticketed concert in the in the town hall function suite with Aardvark Ceilidh Band starting at 8pm.

Sunday’s main stage line-up includes electro swing band Electric Swing Circus, who sell out venues up and down the country, supported by music-makers from Africa, Russia, and Wigan.

The fringe events will bring live music to pubs and venues throughout the town for the duration of the festival. This year The Big Lock, Boars Head Hotel, Cheshire Cheese, The Kinderton, The Kings Lock, the Narrowboat, Newton Brewery Inn and The White Bear are all involved.

The floating market will return stretching from Town Bridge to The Big Lock and with a variety of cakes and crafts available to buy.

Individual tickets are available for the Friday night for £20, for children under 16 it costs £12 and family tickets will cost £45.