THE Penarth Summer Festival is returning this weekend, along with the downhill derby and assorted musical acts.

The free festival organised by Penarth Town Council is held on the Esplanade and has been running since the 1960s.

This year's edition will be held on Saturday, July 16, and will start at midday, finishing at 8pm.

Perhaps the biggest draw of the festival is the downhill derby, which was added to the festival line up in 2010.

The derby involves people racing homemade go-karts, similar to the famous Red Bull Soapbox events.

The only rules for entry are that the karts are human powered, homemade and able to stop.

Under-16s are able to participate in the event and it begins at midday.

Other entertainment includes fairground rides, live music and community stalls.

Opening the musical entertainment is community music project Wonderbrass, which will have a wide repertoire including New Orleans street tunes, Caribbean ska, pop classics from Britney Spears and much more.

There will be performance from the musical department at Penarth Operatic and Dramatic Society (PODS).

PODS will be performing songs from musicals such as Mamma Mia and We Will Rock You.

Also performing will be Wales’ longest running samba band, Samba Galez, and classic rock covers from The Firm.

Closing out the day will be local 12-piece classic soul band Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band, who have played all over the world since 1990.

Penarth Town Mayor, Cllr Laura Rochefort, said: "We are so excited to have the Summer Festival and Downhill Derby back for 2022.

"It really is part of this town’s identity, and we are proud to be organising it.

"After the last two years I am so excited to be able to get out and celebrate our wonderful community."