THE end of the festival is in sight but there is still time and plenty of reasons to become involved.

More than half of the Worcester Festival events have been completely free of charge, from music in the middle of the CrownGate shopping centre to a frenzied raft race across the River Severn.

Now, city residents and tourists alike can see birds of prey sitting pretty in the Cathedral gardens. The eagle and vulture show starts at 11am tomorrow and Chris O'Donnell, one of the country's most experienced falconers, will introduce Sydney the bald eagle, Batty the babeleur eagle as well as Ernie the eagle owl.

Mr O'Donnell's funny and informative commentary will complement the impressive flying demonstrations and ensure that a stroll through the Cath-edral gardens will be something to remember - without having to pay a penny.

This weekend sees another chance to experience zero gravity for free - all you need is a sense of adventure and a strong stomach. Spaceball is a manually-operated ride and it is in Cathedral Plaza from 11am to 4pm tomorrow. Riders are strapped in and spun around in all directions. Alternatively, if you never dreamt of becoming an astronaut, how about becoming a cat or snake? The festival's Funky Face Painters will be on hand to transform you into whatever you want. They are at the CrownGate Live stage between 10am and 4pm on Saturday.

On Sunday local bands will be playing at the South Quay while local artists exhibit and sell their paintings as part of the Riverside Artists Market.

Other free events on Sunday include the Royal Worcester Family Fun Day where entry to the Royal Worcester Visitor Exp-erience and museum will be free and children's entertainment and paint-a-plate workshops will be taking place throughout the day. In the early evening everybody is invited to celebrate the success of the festival by singing hymns and songs with the United Songs of Praise choir down at South Quay. If the weather is bad the concert, which starts at 5pm, will be held in All Saints' Church in Deansway.