It will be one of the biggest waterways festivals ever to be held in Wolverhampton and is expected to attract thousands of boating fans from across the country.

And here is a glimpse of this week’s extravaganza taking shape.

Huge cranes have been lifting narrowboats of all shapes and colours into the air before carefully placing them into the water at Pendeford in preparation for the three-day spectacular, which kicks off on Saturday and is expected to boost the local economy by more than £1 million.

As well as the 300 narrowboats on show, visitors will also be entertained with a range of fun-filled activities including live music, street dancing demonstrations and a circus skills workshop with clowns, stilt walking and juggling.

Hundreds of exhibitors will be set up selling a range of jewellery, gardening equipment, clothing and crafts. A food court will be set up and more than 40 real ales are being offered to quench the thirst of guests.

Historic working narrowboats and horse-drawn boats will be moored alongside the Shropshire Union Canal and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, down to Aldersley Junction.

A charity which helps budding young boaters get out on the water will be one of the groups exhibiting. Visitors will be able to see the Braunston-based London Narrow Boat Project’s state-of-the-art residential community boats on the water.

Charity spokesman Ray Brooks said today he was looking forward to raising awareness of the charity.

“We also wish to encourage more use by school groups who can link activities on the canal to the curriculum,” he added.

People will be able to take a trip up and down the canal to view the colourful boats on show, many of which will be decorated with bunting and flowers.

An illuminated boat parade will be held from 9pm on Sunday, accompanied by a live jazz band. Drivers are being urged to take advantage of the free park and ride services to get to the festival, which will run from Wolverhampton Racecourse and Birmingham Midshires’ base on Wobaston Road.

Buses will start operating from 9.30am and run up to 6.30pm on Saturday and Sunday, and to 6pm on Monday.

Admission is £7.50 and free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult.

For more information about the event visit www.waterways.org.uk or www.wolverhamptoncity.co.uk or call 0870 240 2438.