Whittlesey Festival, now in its 11th year, is just days away with the town’s festivities kicking off next Sunday.

Cambs Times: Whittlesey Festival is just days away! Here’s everything you need to know! Picture: SUBMITTEDWhittlesey Festival is just days away! Here’s everything you need to know! Picture: SUBMITTED (Image: SUBMITTED)

Now in its 11th year, the festival sees the town’s Market Square close off for a carnival parade that sets off from the church on Broad Street.

The event begins at 10am on September 9 and runs until 4pm. It attracts thousands of people from across the country to the Cambridgeshire town every year.

A spokesman said: “The event starts with a colourful and musical carnival parade fronted by a spectacular Horse and Carriage which will set off at 10am from the Whittlesey Christian Church in Broad Street.

“We invite as many as possible to line the streets to cheer on and enjoy this wonderful display. The parade will make its way to the Market Square for the official opening by the Mayor of Whittlesey at approximately 10.15am.

Cambs Times: Whittlesey Festival is just days away! Here’s everything you need to know! Picture: SUBMITTEDWhittlesey Festival is just days away! Here’s everything you need to know! Picture: SUBMITTED (Image: Archant)

“Music and song will fill the air and there’ll be various dance displays with a full programme of entertainment and activities throughout the day.

“This includes, back by popular demand, the Cockney Pride Pearly King and Queen and their band from London, the Melton Mowbray Toy Soldiers Marching Band.

“The combined Peterborough and Bedford Highland Pipe Bands will also perform a grand finale prior to the close of the festival around 4pm.”

Children can enjoy free rides and amusements, free puppets shows and face painting and there are numerous stalls to visit.

Cambs Times: Whittlesey Festival is just days away! Here’s everything you need to know! Picture: SUBMITTEDWhittlesey Festival is just days away! Here’s everything you need to know! Picture: SUBMITTED (Image: SUBMITTED)

For the first time there will also be a free Land Train with a station located at the end of High Causeway, near Heron Foods supermarket in the town.

“Enjoy a walk back in time with a display of over 100 vintage vehicles some of which are unique to this event.

“Visit the ‘Schools Art Exhibition’ with over 150 pieces of students’ artwork from local schools on display at the Whittlesey Christian Church in Broad Street”, a spokesman added.

Here is a full list of entertainment at the event:

• World War II Flypast (Spitfire) scheduled for approx. 2.45 pm: (Weather permitting)

• Peterborough and Bedford Highland Pipe Bands

• Melton Mowbray Toy Soldiers Marching Band

• Pearly King and Queen with their band ‘Cockney Pride’

• Vintage Vehicle display (over 100 cars and motorcycles)

• Free Puppet Shows

• Horse and Carriage – come and admire the horses (rear of 5 Market Place)

• Carpet Bowls, Mat Bowls and Curling (in Childers, Station Road)

• Dance Displays – including Irish Dance, Lindy-hop, Flags and Street Dance,

• Fairground Rides (some subsidised or free)

• Free Face Painting – Market Square - (outside Whittlesey Christian Church marquee)

• Numerous Stalls

• Singers and Musicians (full day programme in St Mary’s Yard and Church)

• Majorettes: (two troupes) Harmony and Starlight Twirlettes

• Schools Art Exhibition – Whittlesey Christian Church, Broad Street

• Football Speed Cage - test your football skills

• Climbing Walls, Bungee, Crazy Golf, Zorbs

• Magic and Entertainment Shows

• Land Train – (station in High Causeway)

For more information contact Brian Smithyman on 01733 752093 or email brians@whittlesey.cc or Jenny Parker on 01733 351005.