There’s a growing sense of expectation, convoys of lorries and vans are starting to pour off the boat and head up to Noble’s Park and even the sun is shining - for now at least.

Up at the Grandstand, tents and awnings are appearing, security fencing is in place and there has been frenetic activity erecting the hospitality suite, beer tent and temporary grandstand.

With first practices set for this weekend, the TT is almost upon us again.

Around the course, bales and security fencing are in place, the DOI workmen have been repainting kerb edges and last minute road repairs are all but done, in time for the first bikes to blast down Bray Hill on Saturday.

And this year will see some changes to the public area in the grandstand with a new so-called Trackside bar replacing the traditional one adjacent to the main car park.

The Heron and Brearley bar, occupies a 1,500 square metre site by the TT course and includes a live entertainment stage.

This year, organisers are promising an extended range of food from the traditional take-away offerings to salads and baguettes. The food will have a more international flavour too with African, Oriental and Italian dishes on offer.

This is complemented by a range of ice cream and coffee. The hospitality suite at the Grandstand will this year be the venue for TT entertainment, including comedian Ross Noble on Tuesday, June 5, and band Reef, which plays on Friday, June 8, bringing the curtain down on this year’s TT races.

The new contract to supply and run the seafront beer tent, traditionally done by Bushy’s, was awarded to rival brewer Hooded Ram. The Bushy’s tent and TT village has now relocated to the Villa Marina gardens.

Planning permission was granted to Clinch’s Leisure Ltd (which runs the Hooded Ram tent) earlier this month to operate the seafront tent up to and including TT 2022. The tent proposed is 420 square metres with a stage at the sea terminal side of the complex.

The Red Arrows will be back again this year to perform their aerobatics display over Douglas Bay on June 5, starting at 7.30pm. The Peel TT motorcycle show is on June 7, the firework display over Douglas Bay is on June 8 and the traditional TT funfair is on Douglas promenade from May 31 to June 10.

Other events include the Ramsey Sprint, Douglas beach races, Port Erin and Castletown TT days.

The TT Grandstand and paddock are open to the public from Saturday, May 26, and the Monster Stunt Arena in the paddock area will also be hosting regular performances throughout the event. For more information or grandstand tickets go to iomtt.com.