You may have spotted a strange sight roaming around Northwich this week.

While it is strange, it's nothing to be alarmed about - it is just Mr Colada, the mascot for Northwich's returning Piña Colada Festival.

Mr Colada took to the streets in preparation for the town's second annual festival this coming Saturday, August 20.

The festival mascot was filming ahead of the festival which will offer a range of activities and see more than 15 town centre bars offer their take on the classic cocktail.

The event follows the success of last year's festival which was launched after Northwich resident Tom Barrow discovered Rupert Holmes, the writer and singer of the famous 'Escape (The Piña Colada Song), was born in the town in 1947.

Tom labelled the discovery as the town’s claim to fame and suggested on social media that the town should host their own Piña Colada festival, which attracted hundreds of comments from people who loved the idea.

Northwich Guardian: Festival founder Tom Barrow celebrating at last year's eventFestival founder Tom Barrow celebrating at last year's event

The event, described as ‘Caribbean, pineapples and a little bit of carnival’, will be running from 11am to 6pm.

What's on during the Piña Colada Festival?

The town centre split into three distinct zones:

  • Apple Market Place will offer seating set inside palm trees along with live reggae act Golty, the Pantsy Steel Band, a giant pina colada and selfie stand.
  • Witton Quarter will allow festival goers to test their balance on their surf simulator and take part in street games including limbo, a coconut shy and old school street games. A steel band will be drumming soulful tunes, with free popcorn and candy floss on offer all day.
  • Barons Square will be the town’s designated family friendly area offering salsa lessons at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. There will be face painting, a giant deckchair set in a beach backdrop and you can even craft your own mosaic pineapple.

There will also be dancing parades taking place at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm which will head to various parts of the town.

At night bars and pubs will offer themed venues, live music and of course, piña coladas.

Who is Rupert Holmes?

Northwich Guardian: Rupert Holmes sipping on the drink his song made world famous and inspired the first ever Piña Colada FestivalRupert Holmes sipping on the drink his song made world famous and inspired the first ever Piña Colada Festival

Singer Holmes, whose real name is David Goldstein, was born in Northwich in 1947, before his family moved to live in America when he was six. His father Leonard was a US Army Warrant Officer and bandleader.

A multi-talented artist, Holmes has won two Tony Awards for his musical Drood, as well writing stage plays and books, but is most remembered for 'Escape (The Piña Colada Song)' which was a number one in the US and Canada.

Organisers are encouraging people to drink responsibly, with non-alcoholic versions of the cocktail, which is usually made with rum, coconut, pineapple juice and ice, on offer for those who don’t drink.

The festival is free to attend and more details about what you can expect on the day can be found here: https://pinacoladafest.co.uk/