THE King’s Lock in Middlewich is ready to host the inaugural Salt Towns’ Rally with plenty of local talent to celebrate the event.

On Friday, August, 17, at 6pm, dignitaries are invited to attend a reception with a jazz ensemble followed by bands who will grace the stage for the rest of the evening.

Damon Horrill, chief executive at Cornerstone Inns, said: “Saturday and Sunday are set to be akin to the festival held at The Lock over the FAB weekend, with a big stage and bar in the grand marquee and a second stage at the water’s edge and all day live entertainment.

“The line-up of artists performing features many of our talented Weaver Valley Artists, musicians and bands who live in Middlewich, Winsford or Northwich.”

After a weekend of festivities in Middlewich the cavalcade of boats will head for Northwich via The Anderton Lift, a stage is being erected in Baron's Quay on Thursday, August 23, where artists and bands on stage will entertain boaters and locals from midday until 7pm.

On Friday, August 24, the boats depart for Winsford and The Offcut festival over two arenas.

Damon said: “The idea of the three towns working together on projects such as this have been long discussed given the shared salt mining heritage and waterways linking Middlewich, Winsford, Northwich. Together the towns are known as The Weaver Valley.

“The Salt Town’s Rally sets out to highlight the fantastic waterways that link the three towns whilst campaigning for a boat lift in Winsford to raise boats from the end of the Weaver to the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union Canal so as to create the Weaver Valley Ring of water which will become the most popular stretch of water in the country for leisure boaters and tourists.”

“The waterways that brought industrial prosperity to mid Cheshire once before are ready to bring prosperity once again in the new age of leisure tourism on and around the waterways connecting the three towns.”

The events in Middlewich, Northwich and Winsford are all free to attend.