Grantham's first Portuguese-English Festival will officially open at 10.30am on Saturday (22 June) with a VIP curtain-raiser to the colourful two-day event.

South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) Chairman Jacky Smith will welcome a host of Portuguese guests and civic dignitaries to the event which centres around St Peter's Hill and the Market Place.

Crowds will enjoy musical performances and gastronomic treats, with entertainment for young and old. Traditional Portuguese food stands, pastry sellers, a barbecue and a Portuguese gin bar will add to the atmosphere.

SKDC Cabinet Member for Growth Cllr Helen Goral said: "We are pulling out all the stops for our first Portuguese-English festival in Grantham.

"We are very proud to be able to host this event and I hope that people from all over the district will come to Grantham and join in the festivities.

"Hosting such events helps the local economy and supports our ambition for the district, driving growth and making South Kesteven a better place in which to live as well as attracting visitors."

Counsellor for Portuguese Communities Antonio Cunha is the latest special guest, joining Portuguese Consulate General Jorge Cruz, who will be in Grantham on behalf of the country's UK Ambassador, and two members of the Portuguese Confederation of Culture and Sport Veladimiro Castilho Matos and Anabela Henriques Lanca.

Portuguese performers Rui Bandeira and Monica Sintra will be supported by fellow musicians Joana Lobo Anta and Natalia Cerqueira, and a number of local bands.

The main stage live music line-up on Saturday is:

Alex Cavan: 2.30pm - 3.30pm

Pete Wayre: 3.45pm - 4.45pm

Natalia Cerqueira: 5pm - 6pm

Hi Boys Trio: 6.15pm - 7.45pm

Monica Sintra: 8pm – 9.30pm The main stage live music line-up on Sunday is:

Chasing Embers: 12.30pm - 2pm,

Naturally Sourced: 2.30pm - 3.30pm

Joana Lobo: 3.45pm - 4.45pm

23 Reasons: 5pm - 6.30pm

Rui Bandeira: 6.45pm - 8pm

The event is being hosted by SKDC and its economic growth and regeneration company InvestSK with PT Connections - a community non-profit organisation to foster friendship and cultural exchange between the English and Portuguese communities.

The event opens at 10am each day and closes at 10pm on Saturday and 8pm on Sunday.

Photo: Grantham's Alex Cavan performing on Saturday