BOAT-owners and holidaymakers are set to flock to Upton-upon-Severn for the town's annual Water Festival this weekend.

Three days will be devoted to family fun with a carnival theme, including music, fireworks and street entertainment.

There will be dozens of boats on the river, with stalls and attractions along the waterfront from 10am on Saturday and an official opening at noon by Central News presenter Llewela Bailey.

Besides watching the juggling, fire-eating and monocycling, children will be able to join in a hands-on workshop with street entertainers Light Fantastic, who showed them how to make boomerangs last year.

There will also be a display of birds of prey and demonstrations of archery, with festival-goers having a chance to try their skill with a bow and arrow.

The carnival parade will start opposite the new fire station at 3pm and make a circuit of the town, arriving in Lower High Street via Dunns Lane and returning along High Street and Old Street.

It is hoped that a special feature of this year's parade will be a large number of people on foot, carrying brightly-decorated umbrellas.

"We've introduced a prize for the best-dressed umbrella to encourage more people to take part," said organiser Sue Walker.

The parade will also include Upton Youth Band, carnival floats and a colourful samba band called Someone at the Door, whose members will give a demonstration and workshop afterwards.

There will be music by the King's Head during the day-time, with the Diving Turkeys back by popular demand.

On the opposite bank of the river, the Crescendo Big Band will be the evening's star turn.

Saturday's entertainment will end with a spectacular fireworks, laser and water cannon display, starting at 10pm.

Riverside entertainment will continue on Sunday with antiques expert Henry Sandon on hand during the day to offer valuations at the Swan Hotel.

From midday on Monday, there will be a fun dog show and a car boot sale on the Sports Field, followed by a cruise on the Conway Castle from 8pm to 11pm, with music by Heartbeat. Tickets are £6.