Barnaby Festival organisers have launched their final line-up for this summer. Thousands of fun-seekers are expected to flock to Macclesfield for the three-day feast of song, dance, acrobatics, artwork, poetry, performance and much, much more.

The event will take place from Friday, June 17 to Sunday 19.

Kicking off on Friday evening are jazz legend Stan Tracey, new community opera The Bate Hall Ghost, acoustic singing, and a Ceilidh.

On Saturday the hugely popular Barnaby Parade will return, snaking through the town to the Christ Church lawns. Here, the Barnaby Fete will keep children happy on the fake ‘beach’.

Another highlight is the Barnaby Treasure Hunt – and bargain hunters may also want to seek out painted pianos on street corners for everyone to play.

Jane Munro, organiser, said: "We’re not expecting Mozart, just loads of musical fun.

"And that’s the whole point of this festival – for people to come and have fun and be proud of Macclesfield and realise what can be achieved by the community."

There will also be street dancers, performers and strolling players on Sunday afternoon for Barnaby’s Street Fest.

Revellers should look out for stand-up comedy acts and touring production Piaf – the Songs at the Town Hall, as well as a Poetry Cabaret led by Jo Bell at the quirky Storm Brewery.

The bumper family festival also includes an Art Trail with more than 20 different exhibitions, a classical music concert and piano recital, vintage film shows and a photography exhibition, plus the Flavours of Macc food stalls, where families will be encouraged to stay late, eat together and enjoy surprises in the Market Place.

The original Barnaby Fair was established as a town holiday by Royal Charter in 1595 for St Barnabas’ feast day, and later became a traditional fortnight’s holiday for mill workers. It had virtually died out but last year – just weeks after the council pulled the plug on funding for the popular Party in the Park festival – a group of volunteers declared ‘Barnaby is Back’.

For information and to order tickets for some of the events visit www.barnabyfestival.org.uk .