BRIGHOUSE’S first ever Canal, Beer and Music Festival takes place this weekend and, if recent events are anything to go by, it could be an entertaining family weekend.

Organised by the Brighouse Business Initiative, which staged the popular 1940s Weekend, this new festival is part of a series of events aiming to bring 250,000 visitors to Brighouse and up to £2million to the local economy this year.

Lesley Adams, BBI chairman, said: “The events we’re bringing to the town have captured people’s imaginations and they turn out in their thousands to enjoy them. This new event is really exciting, I can’t wait to see the canal boats and hear the great music we’ve lined up. The ever popular street market is bigger than ever.”

There will be boat trips and display stands, and craft stalls. The Calder Navigation Society (CNS) are coordinating all the moorings and boat movements. Other groups involved include the Canal and River Trust, the South Pennine Boat Club and the Association of Canal Cruising Clubs.

Steven Lord, one of the organisers said: “BBI events are hugely popular and we decided that the canal should be the focus of a new event.

“What better way to while away a summer weekend than by having a stroll on the canal side, browsing the market stalls, eating some street food, drinking a glass of local beer and listening to some great live music?”

Mike Fretwell of the CNS said: “The CNS has been looking after the Navigation since its inception in 1969 and providing boat trips is only one of our many activities, It’s sure to generate huge interest in the canal which is great for all who use it.”

The canal boats will make a colourful backdrop for the events taking place all over the town which include the West Riding Classic Car Club, steam engine displays, canal crafts, a local real ale tent, a funfair, steam train, boat trips and an animal display.

A local produce and craft market takes over the streets in the town centre. Stalls include street food, handmade crafts, soaps and jewellery. African and Caribbean cuisines as well as locally made cheeses, cakes, jams and pickles will be available.

Live music is being performed all day on three outdoor stages with more than 30 acts, from folk to jazz to popular music.

Local singer and songwriter Roger Davies, who is headlining, will be performing a set ahead of his evening concert at the Civic Hall. Roger who is famous for his song Brighouse on a Saturday night is excited about making his first appearance at the Civic Hall in his home town.

Saturday will see Dave MacPherson, Avon Blyth, Kirklees Brass, Rooster Blue, Fie Fie Fie, Do Miss America and even an almost Elvis Presley among many others.

Performances will run from 11am to 10 pm. The two main stages will be in Thornton Square and Bethel Street car park. At 8pm, Raisers will take to the stage. The real ale tent will supply local brews.

The Sunday line-up includes Bella Gaffney, Cajun Aces, Whiter Than, Jake Smallbone’s Band and Resonation among many others. Performances run from 11am to 5pm.

The free festival takes place from 10am to 10pm tomorrow and Sunday.

See brighousecanalfestival.co.uk or call (01484) 722462.