THE SUN is set to shine for the Cricklade Festival tomorrow.

Thousands of families are expected to turn out for one of the largest street events in the area with the aim of providing a free day out for people of all ages.

There will be live music, dancers, street entertainers, magicians and children’s entertainers for the whole family to enjoy and this year the theme will be the Swinging Sixties.

A festival spokesman said: “This year’s festival is going to be a real treat. We’ve got something for everybody, there will be something for all the family.

“We’ve got music, dance, comedy and family entertainment like Cricklade has never seen before. As usual it won’t cost a penny so come on down and enjoy yourself for the day.”

One of the big acts on the day will be Kitsch Kittens, a pastiche of the girl groups of the fifties and sixties. The duo will be performing some of the classic pop songs of the era, including numbers by Sandie Shaw and Dusty Springfield.

Musical Ruth is also set to be a popular attraction – it’s a mobile piano driven around by Sister Ruth, a madcap nun who stops and entertains any group of people using comedy patter, dance moves, facial contortions and more.

Other acts set to delight the crowds during the day will be Austin Prowess, The Twilight Players, The Sneakers and Cricklade Band.

The spokesman added: “Each year, our very own town band starts the festival with a medley of their tunes bringing the day to life. This is one of Cricklade’s oldest and busiest organisations formed in 1887. Join us in the procession to the end of the high street where the band will set up and play for your enjoyment.

“We are very lucky this year as they have agreed to play for us a second time during the day.”

As well as the entertainment in the High Street, in the school field there will be a mini farm, with lots of cute and cuddly animals.

Because of the festival, Cricklade High Street will be closed from 8am to 6pm. The road will be closed from its junction with Calcutt Street to its junction with Abington Court Lane The festival itself takes place from 11am to 4pm.