There is a packed schedule of local music and dancing planned for the Isle of Man Food and Drink festival, taking place this weekend.

There will be a full line-up of local musicians performing on the outdoor Flo festival stage, thanks to ’Flo the Coffee Van’, which will also be present during the weekend.

Three solo singer songwriters will get the entertainment under way from 11am on Saturday Morning, with Eugene Wilson opening, followed by a set from Manx radio presenter Alex Bell.

The ever-popular Matt Kelly will be performing a set of his original songs on stage from 1pm.

funk

The first band on will be the local folk pop group Biskee Brisht, featuring singer Ruby Biscoe-Taylor, from 2pm, followed by the soul funk group Last Drags, fronted by the charismatic vocalist Theresa McNulty, from 3.30pm.

The folk pop group the Mollag Band will be performing a set of original songs, mixed in with their unique pop covers sung in Manx Gaelic.

The entertainment has been organised by Stuart Gentry, who said that they will keep the entertainment going on into the evening.

’Things will get a bit more raucous later on,’ said Stuart.

’The plan is that, after 6pm, entrance to the Food and drink festival site is free.

’The bands will be on and the beer tent will be open until 9pm. The punk rock and rollers Mad Daddy are on from 6.30pm, and we should be able to crank up the volume a bit.

’They’ll be followed by Totally 80s, who should keep the party going until 9.

This is all happening alongside the events in the theatre tent, which will include the hot dog eating competition and the presentation from Countryfile’s Adam Henson

’Hopefully the weather will be kind to us and we can enjoy a great festival. I can’t think of anything better than to sit in the park, eat some wonderful food, enjoy a drink and listen to some live music,’ he said.

Sunday features displays of Manx dancing from some of the island’s folk dance groups.

First up will be the Manx Folk Dance Society, who will be performing from 1pm

The young dancers from the Peel-based group Skeddan Jiarg, some little more than four years old, will be performing from 2pm.

The group, led by Grainne Joughin, will also feature their adult teams.

After a second performance by the Mollag Band, the southern dance troupe Perree Bane will dance to the end of the festival.

Sunday’s entertainment will be opened by the singers of the Roc Vannin choir.

Entry to the food and drink festival is £5, with under 16s free.

A weekend ticket is £8.