BLACKBURN'S Corporation Park is set to come alive to the sound of music this weekend as the annual Arts in the Park event kicks off.

Two days of events, including showcases of talent from the local music scene, are set to attract crowds from far and wide.

The Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra has been drafted in to bring proceedings to a loud climax on Sunday evening.

The event, which was held last year and is again being supported by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, has been extended this year to mark the 150th anniversary of the creation of Blackburn Council.

Entertainers, activities and experiences have all been laid on as well as the artists who will appear on the three music stages being set up in the park.

More than 40 craft stalls, two days of arts workshops, a fairground, healing and therapeutic arts zone and a number of children's entertainers will all be available -- and all for free.

Saturday will see a full day of contemporary entertainment with the main stage having a party theme and the second stage hosting the best local bands the area has to offer.

Highlights for Saturday include Taiko Drummers Mugenkyo and the unmistakable sound of Voulez Vous.

Sunday will provide an afternoon of traditional entertainment with the event building up to a classical concert by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, accompanied by a firework display.

The people's stage includes sessions teaching circus skills, interactive drama, Egyptian dancing and local schools.

The two-day event is one of several being organised to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the creation of Blackburn Council.

It is hoped it will cater for all sections of the community and entice thousands of people from across East Lancashire into the town. An Asian Mela is due to take place on August 4 and 5 in the park, following a children's day to be held on August 2.

A late mardi gras is planned for Sunday, August 26 and Monday, August 27, bringing salsa and samba to the streets of Blackburn town centre.

A civic event is being held on August 28 to mark the 150th anniversary of the Charter of Incorporation, which created the borough.

And from Thursday September 6, the CAMRA beer festival returns to the King George's Hall.

SATURDAY

Main Stage

1pm - Hi Tech: Manchester based Caribbean steel band bringing you reggae as good as you'll hear anywhere.

2pm - Jobe: Originally from Clitheroe, this is a band are starting to cause a stir on the Manchester indie scene.

3pm - Bliss: All-girl popsters bring upbeat rauchy rock

4pm - Tompaulin: Signed Blackburn rockers.

6pm - Mugenkyo: Europe's best Taiko Drumming group.

8pm-10.30pm - Voulez Vous: One of the best-known Abba tributes.

Alternative Stage

1pm - Reverb: Playing funky pop tunes

2pm - Beef: Local band who played at last year's event.

3pm - Sub Rosa: Male/female duo. Keyboard influenced sounds of pop.

4pm - Uncle Sponge

5pm - Polestar: A Five-piece East Lancashire band.

6pm - The Reserved: A must-see local band who performed at Darwen Live.

7pm - Scenario: Indie/pop music.

8pm - Crosby, Stills & Hash: An imaginative blend of music.

9pm - Dust Fly: Well known group who have performed before.

People's Stage

1 and 2pm - Bread & Butter Theatre Company: Circus skills including juggling, clownign, uni-cycling and improvistation.

3pm - Retro TV: The scene is set as the world's largest portable TV set glides into position. Brian, Retro TV's trusty studio floor manager and award winning tea-boy, sets to work. Brian will enlist the help of the audience to become make-up artists, sound engineers and camera operators for

the duration of the show. With the audience choosing the channels, you never know what might come up next!

4pm -The Habiba Dancers: Egyptian dancing group from Green Lane in Blackburn.

5.30pm - Urban Strawberry Lunch with Pleckgate School USL means fresh, funky beats, floor shakin' bass and urban melodies.

SUNDAY

Main Stage

1pm - The Jam Factory: Blackburn's very own 32 piece improvising jazz orchestra led by Steve Berry.

3pm - The King's Division Normandy Band, the regimental band of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment.

8pm - Concert by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra accompanied by a firework display.