SALE is gearing up for the biggest festival ever staged in the town's history.

Organisers hope to attract record numbers of younger people to the event with a programme events designed especially for them.

These include Midsummer Madness at the Bridgewater Suite, Sale Masonic Hall, Tatton Road, Sale, on June 23 at 7pm and Synergy Cafe at St Mary's Church Centre, Moss Lane, Sale, on June 24 from 8pm to 11pm.

Town centre liasion manager Penny Bell said she hopes the event will bring a spirit of vibrancy to the town.

"Following on from the success of Streets Ahead last month which attracted a lot of people into Sale and created a carnival atmosphere, we're hoping that will be repeated during Sale Festival."

Penny adds that the festival attracts a considerable number of visitors to Sale and believes it could play a part in enticing them back to the town to spend their money in its shops, pubs and restaurants.

Ten days of fun begins on June 17 with a grand regatta organised by Sale Cruising Club.

Its anchors away at 12 noon from Dane Road bridge and locals are encouraged to line the banks of the Bridgewater Canal to enjoy the event.

The marquee in the town square is the place to be if you want to catch the best in live entertainment.

On the same day a host of different performers, from the Sale West Olympia Morris Troupe to Sale Scouts and Guides, will be keeping audiences amused with a mixture of songs, sketches and dance routines from 11am to 3.45pm.

That evening fans of Gilbert and Sullivan will be in musical heaven when the marquee hosts a concert featuring extracts from the duo's most popular works. The singing begins at 7.30pm and tickets priced £3.50 are available from 912 2000 or 945 2717.

On June 18 the local community comes together for the Grand Festival Parade which begins on Grosvenor Road, opposite Ashton Park at 1pm. The parade winds its way through the streets of Sale, culminating in the Sale Lions Millennium Fete in Worthington Park at 2pm.

Three eagled eyed shoppers are being offered the chance to win a share of £135 by entering Sale festival's shop window competition. To win the cash all participants have to do is scan shop windows and look for items which are out of place, such as a tin of soup in the hairdressers or a pair of shoes in the flower shop. Entry forms are available from Trafford Direct 2000 on Tatton Road and the closing date for entries is June 22. The winners will be drawn after the last marquee event on June 24.

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