THE stage is all set for one of the great free events of the year.

Blackburn's Corporation Park will be turned into a mass of colour and echo to the sound of music tomorrow and Sunday for the third Arts in the Park festival.

Over 20,000 people are expected to pack into the park each day to enjoy the wide range of events and activities which has been laid on.

At the heart of Arts in the Park lies the main festival stage.

Tomorrow, the Bootleg Beatles will be the headline act with their unique tribute to the Fab Four.

Other acts lined up tomorrow include Coronation Street's own Curly Watts, actor Kevin Kennedy and his band, top local act The Winchesters and Samba band Eso Es.

Then on Sunday, Zimbabwe's leading acapella group Black Umfolosi will be performing at 3pm and in the evening, the English Symphony Orchestra will perform a programme of popular movie themes from 8pm before providing the soundtrack to a stirring firework finale scheduled for 10.15pm.

Arts in the Park offers something for all ages with an alternative stage featuring a variety of local bands.

There will also be a healing arts tent featuring a range of alternative therapies such as Indian head massage.

In the workshop marquee youngsters will be encouraged to make banners and hats for a grand parade through the park on Sunday at 6.30pm.

Would-be musicians can try their hand at drumming and other musical instruments in the interactive workshop.

There will also be a large play and recreational area and traditional fairground.

Arts in the Park runs from 1pm , both tomorrow and Sunday and has been organised by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

MAIN STAGE

SaturdayMain Stage:

Saturday line-up

1pm Jam Factory, 2pm Rock Idol, 2.30pm Kevin Kennedy and band, 3.15pm Eso Es, 4pm The Winchesters, 7.15pm The Ukrainians, 8.30pm The Bootleg Beatles

Sunday

1pm Gospel Heirs, 3pm Black Umfolosi, 8pm English Symphony Orchestra, 10.15pm Firework Finale

ALTERNATIVE STAGE

Saturday

1pm The Itch, 2pm Grim Beavers, 3pm Spiral Minds, 4pm The Reserved, 5pm Rocket Dog, 6pm The Two Hats, 7pm tbc, 8pm Dustfly, 9.20pm Reever

Sunday

1.30pm Sham & Dave, 2pm Adil B, 3pm The Habbiba Dancers, 4pm Darwen Library Players, 4.45pm Darwen People's Choir, 5.15pm Mel, 5.30pm Spe, 6pm Blowjangles