By Royle appointment

By John Connell

Last updated 11:45, Thursday, 28 August 2008

THE day of Workington’s long-awaited summertime festival is finally upon us.

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Carnival: Barracudas

Saturday is the day of Paint the Town Red, the biggest free event in the town’s history, and organisers have budgeted for at least 50,000 visitors.

Event organiser John Head, said: “There is a real buzz in the town now and a sense of anticipation. It’s finally hit people what an enormous event this will be for the town.”

Liverpool comic and actor Ricky Tomlinson, best known for his portrayal of layabout Jim Royle in the television series The Royle Family, will be on the main stage on the Udale Street Car Park to kick-off the festival.

There be acts on the main stage from 11am onwards, including Western 1940s-style swing band Swing Commanders, soul singer Jimmy James and girl-band Irresistible.

The colourful carnival band the Barracudas will be marching through the streets but for those with more traditional taste can watch performances by the scarlet-uniformed and black-helmeted army musicians of the King’s Division, and Dearham Brass Band.

Footballing legends including Phil Neal who played for Liverpool and England, former Reds manager Tommy Cassidy, and former Reds captain Bobby Brown will also be there on Saturday. A cavalcade of BMW mini cars will be part of the parade and will form a backdrop to a motor show, stunt driving display and the appearance of famous cars Herbie the Beetle, the Back to the Future De Lorean and Postman Pat’s van, from Keswick’s Cars of the Stars Museum.

There will be an opportunity to watch various falconry displays in Curwen Park thoughout the morning and afternoon.

A park-and-ride bus service will operate from Stainburn School and Lakes College West Cumbria, Lillyhall.

M-Sport, of Dovenby, the world rally winning team led by Malcolm Wilson, will display a £500,000 car.

There will also be cookery displays from Annette Gibbons and John Crouch at The Greenhouse from 11am, and Ian Lewis-Dalby, of The Townhouse will be putting on a barbecue.