A TOWN is gearing up for its biggest party of the year.

Sale Festival plans to offer a week long feast of fun for people of the area at the same time as raising vital cash for local charities.

It begins next Saturday, June 19, and continues until the following Sunday - with events including the grand parade setting off from Grosvenor Road, near Ashton Park, at 1pm on Sunday, June 20.

It will process down Glebelands Road and Green Lane, through Ashton on Mersey village, up Ashton Lane, across the main A56 Cross Street, onto Tatton Road and go past the Town Hall before turning down Irlam Road and Charlton Drive to the fete at Worthington Park.

A wide variety of musical, sporting, boating and other events are there to entertain local people during the week.

Michael Riley, secretary of the festival organising committee, told SAM this week: "We are hoping that the festival will be a great success and the ultimate objective is to raise a lot of charity money."

Saturday, June 19 - Noon: Festival regatta, Bridgewater Canal, Dane Road Bridge; 2pm: Crowning of festival princess and rosebud, Town Square; 7.30pm: Music for a great occasion, Owen Wynne Chorale and Festival orchestra, Civic Theatre.

Sunday, June 20 - Festival Parade (see details above)

Tuesday, June 22 - 7.30pm: There's a club near you...a chance to find out more about clubs, voluntary groups and societies in the town, Civic Theatre.

Wednesday, June 23 - 7.30pm: local historian Alan Morrison discusses Old Sale and its people, Civic Theatre.

Thursday, June 24 - 7.30pm: Sale Flower Club and Ashton and Sale Floral Art Group presentation, Civic Theatre.

Friday June 25 - 10am-4pm: Festival antiques roadshow, Eaton Court, 114, Washway Road, Sale; 7.45pm: Last Night of the Proms, with Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force County Concert Band, Civic Theatre.

Saturday, June 26 - 7.45pm: Midsummer Music, with Trafford Youth Concert Band and Sylvan Singers, Civic Theatre.

Sunday, June 27 - 3pm: Songs of Praise, service for all religions, Salvation Army Hall, Ashton Lane.

Festival programmes are on sale in Trafford Direct 2000, Tatton Road, Sale.

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