A WEEKEND of fun is on the cards for Northwich this month with a four-day event packed with variety.

Northwich Festival takes over Moss Farm Leisure Centre from August 22 to 25.

In this week’s Guardian we will provide a spotlight on the festival’s first day, Friday, August 22.

The day starts with Cheshire Independent Living Awareness Day (CILIAD), entertainment and a host of family fun from 11am to 3pm.

Hosted in the two festival marquees, CILIAD is all about providing information, advice and exhibition stands to help disabled people find out how they can live more independently.

Internationally-renowned opera singer Denise Leigh will perform live at the event as well as the Dee Sign Choir.

The free event, from 11am to 3pm, will also include a football match and display from the Cheshire Disability Social League, as well as face painting, balloon modelling, magicians, crazy golf, children’s rides and donkey rides.

The Friday evening will see the main marquee transformed for a Las Vegas Casino Party Night.

Organiser Sam Naylor said: “The evening is organised by a professional company with a host of casino games including roulette, poker and three card trick.

“You will be playing with chips provided in the price of the ticket and there will be prizes for those who win the most on the night.

“An excellent hot meal will be served by our catering partners Ape Bars with vegetarian options available.

“Following this will be live entertainment from Rob Leigh, a renowned Neil Diamond tribute act.

“He sounds and looks more like Neil Diamond than the man himself – he’s so good there will be no need for me to do my Tom Jones numbers.”

The bar closes at 12.30am and dancing finishes at 1am.

Tickets for the casino night, sponsored by Chambers Fletcher Solicitors, are £15, which includes £5 of gambling chips.

A table of 10 can be booked for the price of nine.

To book visit brioleisure.org or ring 0151 356 6890 or 07772 611274.