Castletown’s big celebration, the festival, is this Saturday. August 3, in the town square.

Now in its 63rd year it follows a time-honoured format. It opens at 1pm with the Southern Belles, followed by fashion contests, the selection of the Princess (ages 10 to 12 who live in Castletown, Derbyhaven and Ballasalla) and the Holiday Princess (ages seven to 12 who are here on holiday) followed by the Queen crowning ceremony at 3pm with Charlotte McGroggan, who is the first festival Queen to be from Ballasalla.

After this it’s the bingo.

Also there is the bonny baby contest which is at Castletown Methodist Church at 3pm.

There will also be local stalls and bouncy castles along with free games/toys available in the castle gardens.

The fancy dress will be judged in Victoria Road School from 6.30pm then the procession, led by Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band, goes through the streets at 7pm to the square.

All entries and floats can take part and the fancy dress is open too, so get creative!  There are children and adults classes with a separate float class with generous prizes. Cash prizes are given at the presentation in the square. See the Facebook page (The Castletown Festival) for more details.

There are live bands on the stage from 4pm and the final act is local X Factor star Sam Black and there are fireworks to finish at 10.15pm.

’We look forward to seeing you for a fun filled day for the whole family,’ said chairman Rachael Keyes.

’Please also note that the Billown circuit will be closed for part of the day from 3pm to 8pm ... so get to Castletown early!’

Buses will resume from the square in both directions from 11pm at the latest.

If there is bad weather, the event will be switched to Saturday, August 10.