ORGANISERS are hoping for sunshine as hundreds of people get ready to enjoy what is becoming one of the biggest events in Helensburgh’s calendar this weekend.

This year’s Summer Festival, organised by the Helensburgh and Lomond Chamber of Commerce is free to attend and offers something for everyone with residents and visitors urged to show their support for the event, the traders and the voluntary groups who are taking part.

The action-packed family occasion takes place on Saturday, August 12 and coincides with the Helensburgh Farmers’ Market.

This year’s festival is the biggest yet, featuring more attractions and participants than before, with more than 70 stalls offering everything from home-made pies, local gin and crafts to the opportunity for people to start some Christmas shopping early.

The Christmas lights team will be on hand to give out the entry forms for their competition, with the Summer Festival offering the last chance for primary school pupils to get their entries in.

Colquhoun Square will host to the ever-popular Victorian Chair O’ Plane ride, a striker kiddies strength test, bouncy castles and the HMS Neptune Volunteer Band, who are set to entertain throughout the day.

Guided walks by local historian Stewart Noble will take place throughout the day, with two starting at 10.30am outside the Hill House and Helensburgh Parish Church. There will be another walk at 2pm outside Helensburgh Parish Church.

The MoD Police Search Dog Team will stage a display in the square around noon and a walk on water hamster ball will be located in the car park behind the Wilkies store.

The sea front will also be packed with activities including an inflatable obstacle course, a children’s teacup ride and a climbing wall.

The MoD Bomb Squad will demonstrate their robot equipment and sailors will be racing the dunk tank. Peninsula Trikes will be on hand to offer rides around town.

Organisers are looking forward to hosting the Summer festival and hope the public will turn out and show their support.

A spokeswoman for the chamber of commerce said: “We need the public to support this event as it is now a big event for the town with lots more attractions and participants this year.”