With just a fortnight to go, final preparations are underway to make sure this year's Hale Barns Carnival is the biggest and best to date.
The weekend of fantastic live music and carnival fun regularly attracts big star names and 2022 is no exception with R 'n' B royalty Gwen Dickey among the amazing line-up.
Dickey, the voice of the legendary Rose Royce, will headline the Sunday night bill which also features top Chic tribute at Chic Out! who will deliver a string of fantastic disco classics from Chic, Nile Rodgers and Sister Sledge.
This year's Hale Barns Carnival takes place across the weekend of Friday 15 July, Saturday 16 July and Sunday 17 July 2022.
Along with Gwen Dickey the 2022 programme also includes 'People's Tenor' Russell Watson, who will return to Hale Barns to open the weekend with a special Proms concert on the Friday night, and The Real Thing and Hot Chocolate frontman Kennie Simon who are both headlining the Saturday evening.
Born in Biloxi, Mississippi, Gwen Dickey was the beautiful and unmistakeable voice of Rose Royce with whom she had a string of successes including the international disco smash hit Carwash, Love Don't Live Here Anymore, Ooh Boy, and the beautiful ballad Wishing on a Star.
During her career Dickey has also appeared at Glastonbury, duetted with KWS and Jay-Z, shared the bill with Meatloaf and opened major shows for the 'Godfather of Soul' James Brown.
Meanwhile Chic Out! is recognised by many as the best Chic tribute outfit in the UK. A stunning 12-piece band will take to the stage to perform hits from Chic and Sister Sledge like Good Times, Le Freak, I want Your Love, Everybody Dance, We Are Family and Dance, Dance, Dance.
The Sunday night concert will also raise much-needed funds for the Brainwave charity which celebrate its 40th anniversary this year and does vital work to help children with disabilities reach their potential.
Along with individual concert tickets and weekend passes, special VIP secret garden tickets are also available, giving access to a premium bar, at-table waitress service, VIP toilets and exclusive musical performances as well as a great view of the main stage.
The live concerts are once again complemented by a two-day free Hale Barns Carnival family event on the Saturday and Sunday (16 and 17 July).
The event features local performances and live music, the 'Kidchella' mini festival experience for youngsters aged three to 11, traditional fun fair rides, a makers' market with 30 stalls, plus a foodie village and bars. The Supercar Paddock also returns featuring rare classic cars and supercars.
This year the daytime programme will include a host of new attractions including Inflatable World - with a giant inflatable obstacle course; a 28ft rock climbing wall for adults and children giving a bird's eye view of the festival site; The PartyBus soft play double decker, and a chance to test your skills in a special Football Academy.
And the popular Makers Market returns to Hale Barns for the first time since 2018, with more than 30 stalls from local artisans.
Daytime entry is free from 12noon until 4pm.
Organiser Max Eden from Hale Barns Events said: "Gwen Dickey has one of the best and most recognisable voices on the music scene and we're absolutely delighted and honoured to have her perform as the headliner for the final night of Hale Barns Carnival.
"With Chic Out! rocking all those irresistible disco beats from legends like Chic and Sister Sledge it promises to be quite a finale to this year's carnival weekend.
"And of course, as always, alongside the evening concerts we've also got two packed daytime carnival events - this year with a number of new attractions alongside all the usual family favourites."
Website: www.halebarnscarnival.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HaleBarnsCarnival/
Twitter: @HaleBarnsEvents #HBCarnival