THE sun is scheduled to shine on Winsford for its annual festival this weekend.

With a packed line-up of fun-filled activities, this year is set to be the biggest and best Winsford festival to date.

Saturday will feature a day of live music, with local acts Public Defiance, Street Light Disaster, New Beginning, Will Garner, The Valentines, and Krystal all taking to the stage.

A tribute to High School Musical and ABBA will also be held in the Lifestyle Centre.

Meanwhile there will be fun for all the family in the Family Zone, which is being launched this year.

Troupe dancers, Mr Alexander’s Fantastic Travelling Show and the Tenchi Ryu Karate School will be on hand to keep everyone entertained.

Founder and organiser of the festival, Steve Smith, said he likes to keep the event fresh by doing something a bit different each year.

He said: “I organise the festival because I’m proud to live in Winsford, there are a lot of talented and musical people in Winsford, I think that the festival has a lot to do with this.

“But I think its great that the festival is changing into a more family based event too, as opposed to just a music festival.

“We work hard to make it the best weekend we can, it takes months to organise and it couldn’t happen without all our committed volunteers.”

Jack Needham, 12, is the youngest volunteer and created the website for the event in between school and his homework.

He said: “It took me about a week to design the website for the festival, it did take up a lot of time but it will be worth it when we see the outcome.”

Now in its 11th year, the Winsford Festival started life as a simple fun fair and Punch and Judy show on Dene Drive car park.

Since then it has gone from strength to strength, introducing tribute acts in 2001, and local bands in 2003. In 2004 the festival was relocated to the grounds of Wyvern House, and 2009 will see the event make use of the new Lifestyle Centre.

The festival has always been a non-profit event with all proceeds going to local charities.

Programmes are being sold in Asda in Winsford for £1 each, and contain vouchers for the fair.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 01606 867539.