The Cuban Brothers at last year's Bestival. Picture by Robin Crossley.
THE Queen will be driven around Yarmouth in a horse-drawn carriage to mark the start of the Old Gaffers Festival, today (Friday).
Well, not Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, but Mary Reynolds, a queen lookalike who will add a royal flavour to this year’s event.
It is the 16th Old Gaffers Festival and organisers expect around 40,000 people to attend the three-day celebration in the town. As well as Mary, the Island’s High Sheriff Nick Hayward will open the event on The Quay at noon.
Old Gaffers chairman Debbie Cotton said: "The theme of this year’s festival is a celebration of 60 years of her majesty’s reign so there are lots of royal-type events.
"We will have an international market in The Square with food and craft stalls from Spain, Morocco, Peru, Indonesia, Italy, Germany and France.
"All the entertainment is free, apart from the two nights of live music in the marquee.
"On Friday, we have Bestival curator Rob Da Bank with The Cuban Brothers, Skinny Lister, Abandoman and Sombrero Sound System.
"Then on Saturday there are three tribute bands — Abba’s Angels, Rod Stewart and, of course, Queen B.
"There will be the regular street acts and musicians performing throughout the three days providing all sorts of entertainment for the whole family.
"And on Saturday at 10am, around 100 Old Gaffers sailing boats will set off racing from the pier — that is always a fantastic spectacle."
There is a park-and-ride set-up at Bouldnor and the FYT bus is running a special service on Saturday.