Festival ready to cast off

Prizewinners and players from Junior Order of Merit

The canal and Bethel Street car park are just part of the entertainment booked to fill the town this weekend (August 22 and 23) with music for all tastes, from Rock to Blues, Classical guitars and singers.

The Canal & Rivers Trust will be demonstrating the benefits of boating and this year, there are several boats to give visitors rides on the canal so no advance booking required.

This year it is planned to have barges and boats nearer the town centre with all kinds of activities for the kids and older ones to enjoy.

The weekend is organised by the Brighouse Business Initiative. John Buxton from the group said: “A wonderful free weekend for all the family is assured as the town centre plays host to over 20 live bands on the music stages.

“Headlined by local singer Roger Davies, who will also give a concert at the Civic Hall on Friday night, the weekend sees a wonderful showcase of musical talent.

“You will also see canal boats lining the towpath, a huge street food and craft market, three stages of live music, a fun fair, vintage vehicles, a steam train and dancers.

“In addition visitors can sample local real ale and enjoy a Pimms beside the canal as you listen to the live music.”

Over 80 stalls will be spread around the town centre for the Summer Food and Craft market where visitors can buy local food and crafts.

On Commercial Street the Yorkshire Thoroughbred Car Club will be exhibiting 20-30 classic cars on both days, with proud owners willing to talk about their vehicles.

The Halifax & Brighouse Model Engineers will be running their steam train down West Park Street providing rides for young and old.

A collection of exotic animals and insects on Market Street from tarantulas to skunks at Creature Caboodle.

Here is the full music line up.

Stage One - Bethel Street Car Park.

Saturday: 11pm - Thomas Dyson; Noon - JP Totham;

1pm, Kirklees Music Band;

2pm, Roger Davies; 3pm - Once Geronimo; 4pm, Ben “Blue” Waters; 5pm, Shelbi Paige; 6pm, Rugosa; 7pm, Blood Sweat & Beers; 8pm, Raisers.

Sunday: 11am, Jake Smallbones; Noon, Lunan; 1pm, Caroline Francis; 2pm, Rainy Street Band; 3pm, Do Miss America; 4pm

Stage two - Bradford Road

Saturday: Noon, Irish Music; 12.30pm Yeli Williams; 1.15pm, Sleepy Jake Segrave; 2pm, Blackpool Bridge; 3pm Pig Sick Malc; 4pm, Fie Fie Fie; 5pm, Rum Doodle.

Sunday: Noon, Irish Music; 12.30pm, Diamond Dac; 1.15pm, Julian Socha; 2pm Michael James; 3pm, Bella Gaffney

Stage Three - Thornton Square

Saturday: Noon, Nicola Green Solo singer; 1pm Sally Edwards, 2pm TBA; 3pm Jan & Pete; 4pm, Idle Guits.

Sunday: 1pm, David Jones; 2pm, Delicious Biscuits; 3pm, Natasha Harper & Pete Jones

For more information about the event visit www.brighousecanalfestival.co.uk