Castletown Festival will run as normal with music in the evening on Saturday.

This is despite a request from police inspector Mark Newey the event finish in the early evening.

Last year, under threat of prosecution, organisers pulled the plug on the evening music at the last minute, having reached an impasse over negotiations with police.

The argument revolves around whether the festival requires a music licence.

Festival organisers argue it is exempt and referred to a decision made in 2014 when police also claimed a licence was needed.

The festival said it operates under a charter as a philanthropic voluntary organisation, and under section 20 of the Music and Dancing Act 1961 has not required a music and dancing licence.

The Attorney General’s office agreed. The festival argued nothing has changed since 2014.

The police said they reviewed the festival over the past few years and it is ’evident that there are no families that attend the evening part of the event’.

The festival said it is family orientated, families stay up until the end of the event.

In the build up to this year’s festival, Inspector Newey wrote to the festival he is concerned it runs until the same time as last year.

There was no disorder last year ’it was a nice community and family event’ he wrote.

He suggested the same timings at this year’s event ’so that it sends a clear message to the wider island community that the carnival of old is no longer and the event moving forward will continue to be a well run family event.

’I personally think that options to dissuade others from attending will have a limited effect and the change of the format last year worked well in this regard, so why not stick with it.’

He suggested the finishing time is extended by half an hour next year to see if it has an impact and extending it again if necessary.

Last year there was wide public outcry about the decision. Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band, unable to play in the evening, still led the fancy dress parade to the square, but it did so in silence.

A video of the band’s protest march attracted over 18,000 views.

Festival committee member Colin Leather said: ’The festival is going ahead as normal. There are kids’ competitions, from 1pm entertainment, the pageant, bingo and music then the fancy dress parade, confetti carnival, bands including a Take That tribute band and fireworks at 10.15pm.

’It is a family event aimed at children. If adults also have a good time that’s all well and good.

’Inspector Newey’s correspondence has gone to an advocate. Everything is going forward as normal.

’We are going to run the festival for the enjoyment it will give to the people of the island.

’There’s nothing there for people that drink; the square will be monitored and controlled by the committee, there will be no glass allowed in the square.’

Yesterday police warned festival goers they will take a ’robust stance’ on any issues involving alcohol and poor behaviour and ’will not tolerate any under age drinking at or near the event’.