THE Upton Water Festival will once again be offering a whole host of attractions to keep residents and visitors entertained over the bank holiday weekend.

From Friday, August 28, until Monday, August 31, the town will be awash with sound and colour, with a variety of live music, stalls and street entertainment taking place in various locations.

The jewel in the water festival’s crown is the spectacular firework display over the river Severn, and this will return as good as ever this year courtesy of Pepperpot Pyrotechnics at about 10pm on the Sunday evening.

The main stage offers music lovers plenty to look forward to, with a line-up including Quill, Broom Busters and tributes acts to the likes of Michael Jackson, Celine Dion and Madonna.

A host of established and up-and-coming bands, many of them local, will also be performing in several Upton pubs over the weekend.

Other events of note include a fashion show organised by Fair Exchange Dress Agency at 5pm on Saturday, a river rescue demonstration from voluntary organisation Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue at 4pm on Sunday, and Upton in Bloom’s much-loved annual duck race at 5pm on Sunday.

Another festival highlight should be the Bell Boat and Dragon Boat racing on Sunday morning.

Organisers are still looking for a few more teams to participate.

Entry is £48 for a team of eight, at least two of whom should be female, and all safety equipment is provided. For more details or to enter, contact festival organiser Grahame Bunn on 01684 592621 or grahamebun@aol.com.

On Monday there will be a giant car boot sale on the playing fields and local bands entertaining the crowds from the main stage.

The streets will be packed with food and craft stalls, a fairground, stalls and face-painting, and kite-flying taking place across the river at Fish Meadow. The water festival can attract crowds of more than 10,000 people, and Mr Bunn is hoping for another successful show this year.

The festival is free, although guests enjoying the fireworks spectacular will be asked for a donation of £3 per person or £10 per family.