THE fifth Callington Festival kicked off this week with 12 days of entertainment for all tastes and ages.

'Whether you are local to the area, on holiday or visiting friends and relatives there is something for everyone,' said festival co-ordinator Richard Lumley.

The end-of-year concert featuring talented students from Callington Community College takes place tonight (Thursday) at 7pm before the festival opens officially with the spectacular carnival on Saturday (July 6).

The procession will fill the streets with an array of colourful floats and walking entries accompanied by plenty of live music.

There will be warm up entertainment, featuring 'Harry Kazzam' in Fore Street from 4pm and as soon as the parade passes through town there will be more fun and laughter as the pirate party starts up in and around the Bull's Head where there will be a barbecue with live music and karaoke.

The carnival is followed by the first concert of the week at St Mary's Church, 'Spectra Musica' from Somerset, a chamber choir based in Wincanton whose repertoire spans six centuries. The event will be in support of the Pillaton Church Restoration Fund.

Talented children's storyteller John Brolly will present 'Long Legged Beasties' on July 7 and there will be bingo in the town hall and a pub quiz in the Bull's Head over the next two days.

A late afternoon workshop by gypsy jazz fiddler Tim Kliphuis for all ages, instruments and abilities will be followed by an evening concert by Tim's trio delivering a breathtaking instrumental show. This event is being held in collaboration with the Dante Quartet.

Callington's own Community Gospel Choir is set to raise the roof at St Mary's Church on July 11 and the GLADRAG Summer Ball featuring music by Strictly Ballroom Plus will take place in the town hall the next day.

Saturday, July 13 sees a festival concert involving the Burraton Male Voice Choir, Pelynt Male Voice Choir, St Dominick Handbell Ringers and a guest soloist.

The grand finale will be the Tamar Valley Festival of Transport on July 14 at Polhilsa Farm.

An art exhibition will be running in Jane's Floral Designs and Callington Town Band will be performing in St Mary's Square on the morning of July 13.

Mr Lumley said the festival committee was hoping to set up a 'mini-Montmartre' in the town centre on carnival day when artists are invited to set up their easels and either paint an aspect of Callington or continue with a piece of work they have already started.

They may well also invite passers-by to sit for a portrait. Phone 01579 383491 if you would like to get involved in this project.

'All the events donate proceeds to charities so the festival creates a ripple effect which touches people far and wide,' Mr Lumley added. 'It's a win-win situation where the town as a whole derives benefit.

'Local residents, those living in the hinterland and holidaymakers can discover new interests or re-engage with the old ones and the increased footfall is certainly going to be appreciated by local businesses. After the success of the recent Mayfest we look forward to welcoming people back to Callington in July.'