THOUSANDS of people are expected to descend on an Eden town this weekend for a rural gathering held to welcome in the coldest season.

The Winter Droving 2014 will take place throughout the day and into Saturday night, when the streets of Penrith will undergo a spectacular transformation.

A traditional market with local food and drink, brought together thanks to a brand new partnership with Taste Cumbria, will enable local people to get into the spirit of the rural knees-up.

Participants will fight it out for the Drovers Cup, while street entertainment, including musicians, will keep the crowds delighted.

And as night falls the town will welcome a mystical procession featuring fire, music and animals a-plenty, concluding with a spectacular finale in Great Dockray.

"The Winter Droving has quickly established itself as a key event in the Cumbrian calendar, attracting thousands of people from all over the north," said a spokesman for the event.

"There are lots of opportunities to join in (carry a torch in the procession or enter a team into the Drovers Cup) or to simply stand around gawping or feeding your face and maybe throw a few coconuts about!"

The event is now in its third year and aims to celebrate all things 'rural, traditional and fun'.

The musical line-up includes well known names and newcomers alike in the form of Diddley Squat, the Kentucky Cow Tippers, the Macaroon Ceilidh Band, Elaine Davidson, The Cumbria Gaita Band, Segretta Hot Three, Phil Saunders, Steve Grundy, Bill Lloyd and A Room Full of Mirrors.

A highlight of the afternoon will be the return of the riotous Kyloe’s Drover’s Cup – a tournament that will see teams battle through hay bale races, pint-pass contests, a tug o’war and sausage-eating competition.

The current cup holders are a team of Penrith fire fighters, who will prove tough competition as they defend against teams from Elite Fitness, Crossfit Cumbria, The Brunswick Yard and Newton Rigg College.

Throughout the day street performers will entertain, a fancy dress competition will be open to dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds and poi spinning, a helter skelter, community stalls and horse and cart rides will be sure to keep the whole family entertained.

But the highlight of the day will be the torch-lit procession, with fire, lanterns, music and mayhem - not to mention participants in masks celebrating all things agricultural.

The procession sees hundreds of people every year join in carrying fire torches, meandering through the streets for a 'finale of fire' which this year will be marked with a high-impact light and percussion performance.

For more information and to get involved call Eden Arts on 01768-899444.

More information can be found at www.winterdroving.uk