If you’re struggling to see the bathtubs racing along Arundel’s river as part of its annual festival, then fear not.

Among the new attractions at the ten-day arts bash are helicopter rides over the town.

Helicoptours are offering five-minute flights (£35) over its second weekend.

New offerings on land for the 36th Arundel Festival include ukulele playing en masse, steel drums, a 50-strong choir, plus The Hanover Band and celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the Arun Valley Railway.

GB Theatre Company returns to the Collector Earl’s Garden at Arundel Castle. The Merchant Of Venice and A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed against the backdrop of Oberon’s Palace and Arundel Cathedral with shows beginning at 7.30pm and tickets from £25.

“The programme is broader and bigger than ever before,” says artistic director Sharon Blaikie.

“It’s about involving people of all ages in this community spirited town.”

Blaikie, via her events company Landon Sounds, has programmed all the entertainment in Jubilee Gardens. Each of the ten days is themed, and the workshops, music, drama, circus and spectacles all tie in.

The opening day tomorrow is a Carnival Extravaganza, which finishes with fireworks.

Hundreds of children will take part in the Railway Children Walk from Arundel Station, which will join the main parade starting from the top of Arundel High Street at 3pm, as the festival flag is raised.

Vintage steam trains, period costumes and traditional children’s games will be on offer at the station to commemorate the Arun Valley Railway’s birthday.

After the grand opening, Jubilee Gardens will become a place for Woodstock, Love And Peace, with makeover photo shoots, dressing up and hippy braiding on Sunday, August 18, with WOW! Creative overseeing a day of activities and events from noon to 6pm.

Littlehampton Academy will present Soaptastic!, a soap-making workshop, with WOW! Creative in Jubilee Gardens, while the Arundel Iconic Chalk Experience Trail will see professional artists using chalk and pastels to create an interactive mural on pavements around the town.

“We are a charity and it is always a struggle,” explains Blaikie, “so we have weighted the entertainment to the weekends.”

Weekday activities

That is not to say the weekdays are not packed with artists. Midweek entertainment in Jubilee Gardens includes a Showtime Burlesque day on Monday, with Phoebe’s Burlesque Show the evening’s highlight; Family Fun on Tuesday; museums and history the focus for Moment In Time on Wednesday; a chilled day on Thursday, with acoustic bands and soul artists booked under the Acoustic Soul theme; while on Friday the theme is Vintage Punch.

“We have people doing hair, nails and make-up in retro styles, vintage tea rooms, stalls with vintage items for sale, a fashion show... It went really well last year. We have a tea party in the middle of everything – it’s a very special day.

“Then in the evening we teach people how to modern jive with rock and roll bands.”

The annual Bathtub Race is back on Saturday, August 24, from 3pm.

Thirty teams will take their homemade creations – all must be built around a basic household bath – up the Arun and back.

“It’s a great spectacle. We had thousands lining up alongside the river last year.”

The Gallery Trail, which is now 25 years old, runs across the ten days. More than a hundred artists will exhibit their paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photos, jewellery and textiles in 60 venues – from homes to businesses.

The Drip Action Theatre Trail will take drama to new spaces with David Weir’s Lions Of England at Arundel Football Club daily from noon, and Judy Klass’s Face To Face With The Enemy at 3pm at the India Gate Restaurant.

An eight-day season ticket for the theatre trails is avaible for £30. Call 01903 885727.

Arundel Players will perform Amadeus by Peter Shaffer daily at 7.30pm at The Priory Playhouse in London Road, Arundel, with tickets priced £12.50.

Harold Pinter’s Ashes To Ashes and Cruising by Nigel Fairs are on a programme which also has comedy and other drama at Arundel Jailhouse. Call 01903 889821 for tickets.

The Hanover Band are a world-renowned Hanoverian band, which specialises in music from 1714 to 1830. The ensemble will tackle compositions by Mozart, Haydn, Hummel and Handel over three concerts across the bank holiday weekend. Tickets start from £15 and are available from 01243 813595.

  • Arundel Festival runs from Saturday, August 17, to Monday, August 26. For more information, visit arundelfestival.co.uk. To book tickets for Arundel Castle events call 01903 882173