There's lots to do this weekend in our area - here's a round-up:

  • Colchester Food and Drink Festival, Castle Park, Colchester

When: Tomorrow and Sunday, 10.30am to 5pm.

How much: £3.50 adults, accompanied children free.

NOW in its 13th year, this annual event is now one of the largest food festivals in the country.

There's more than 100 different stalls with local and international food and drink, the return of the Pikestaff Inn real ale bar and a celebrity kitchen where you can pick up some culinary tips.

As well as the food and drink festival, the event will also be playing host to the Colchester Rose Show, the town's horticultural show which has been running for more than a hundred years.

  • Rowhedge Regatta, High Street, Rowhedge

When: Tomorrow, midday to 9.30pm.

A BURSTING programme of events is set to bring record crowds to the Rowhedge Regatta.

Rubber ducks will race and crabs will be caught for the popular competition taking place at Pearson’s quay, as well as coconut shy, greasy pole and tug-o-war.

Crowds will be entertained by a royal dog show and fireworks display.

On the water, smacks will sail up the river, joined by the Brightlingsea One Designs (BODs), Wivenhoe One Designs (WODs) and Cruisers.

The Rowhedge Coastal Rowing Club is also taking part in the Gig race, alongside many new teams to be cheered on by spectators.

Click here for a full programme.

When: Until tomorrow, 7.30pm.

How much: £12, £8 concessions.

Contact: 01206 873288.

A THOUGHT provoking piece of theatre based on research made by university academics, performed by Essex students and the Lakeside Theatre's Young Theatre Company.

  • Liane Carrol, Fleece Jazz at Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Keepers Lane, Leavenheath, Colchester

When: Today, 7.30pm.

How much: £20.

Contact: 01787 211865.

A FIRM favourite of the popular jazz club, vocalist and pianist Liane Carroll performs her own compositions and a wide selection other jazz standards in her own unique way.

  • Brightlingsea Open Gardens and Scarecrow Competition, various sites 

When: Tomorrow and Sunday, 10am to 5pm.

How much: Entry £4.50.

Contact: 01206 308023.

ONE of the highlights of Brightlingsea's summer social calendar, this year there will be just under 30 gardens for visitors to take a look at.

As in previous years businesses and residents will be adding to the occasion with various topical and traditionally attired scarecrows dotted around town centre.

  • Bee Trial launch, Castle Park, Colchester

When: Saturday, 10am to 9pm

How much: Free

FOLLOW the bee trail and see if you can spot all the hives hidden in Castle Park, answering questions along the way. All completed Bee trail sheets will be entered into a draw at the end of the summer to win some fantastic prizes.

  • Clacton Sea and Beach Festival, Clacton beach

When: Tomorrow and Sunday,

MORE than 100 competitors are expected to battle it out in a series of the British Kitesurfing Championships off the Clacton coast.

There will be national and international windsurfing and stand-up paddle boarding on both days of the festival, and a pursuit race, a catamaran race and boat trips.

On the shore, festival-goers can enjoy live music and a Saturday night beach party with children’s entertainment.

The festival kicks off with a procession from Clacton Town Hall on the Saturday at 10.30am, arriving at the Lower Promenade at about 11am.

  • Family Fun at the Furze, Furze Hill playing field, off Shrublands Road, Mistley

When: Sunday, midday to 6pm

A GIANT family picnic with live music, dance acts and a host of games and inflatables for kids.  

  • My Fayre Lady, Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester

When: Sunday, 11am to 5pm

How much: £5

A BEAUTY fair with a difference, to raise money for Market Field School.

My Fayre Lady! has been revamped into an alternative Mind, Body, Soul and Beauty event.

Alice Nicholls is a tattooist at the Lucky Rose Clinic, in Eld Lane, in Colchester, and has organised the event, which will feature a variety of alternative stalls including body piercing, eyebrow tattoos, spray tans and retro hair updos.

When: Sunday, 5pm

How much: £14

Join Alice on her madcap adventures with The White Rabbit, The Tweedles and an array of colourful characters. Based on the 1951 Disney Alice in Wonderland and the novels The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. Enjoy toe-tapping Disney songs such as I’m Late, The Un-birthday Song and Zip- A-Dee-Doo-Dah. The performance features more than 80 talented students aged four to 16 years old.

...And on Monday, Castle Park's Summer Screen goes live, streaming matches from Wimbledon for free, from 2pm to 8.30pm.