A MUSIC marathon in Worden Park is being hailed as an alternative for the cancelled Leyland festival.

On Sunday, August 19, the park will ring to the sound of America's deep south in a day of family entertainment featuring Cajun, Jazz and Zydeco music.

From 1pm until 11pm, the day's music will match the mood of the hour, with a daylight 'Park Capers' in the afternoon leading to the 'Bop in the Dark' from 8pm.

Phil Harty, the event organiser, said: "It's offered as a belated gesture in the absence of this year's festival, and is being run by the Music in the Park steering group, some of whom were involved in Leyland Festival's music tent in past years.

Festival

"This was a long-standing favourite aspect of the festival traditionally held at the beginning of June."

Park Capers will feature a display of Appalachian dance, and music by the popular Leyland group the 'Shredded Feet'. The early afternoon will also feature the first of two Cajun dance workshops.

The Yarrow River Jazz Band will set the mood for the evening from 4-6pm with traditional New Orleans jazz.

Then the 'Bop in the Dark' will be headlined by the Joe le Taxi band, a blues band which combine Louisiana music with Creole blues, and features traditional American instruments such as the rub board and Zydeco drums.

Phil Harty said: "This event is set in the refurbished Arts Centre in the middle of Leyland's swamp lands in Worden Park, which is a truly appropriate setting for this tribute to Louisiana. And the arts centre cafe will be offering special Louisiana dishes."