FALCONS, majorettes, vegetable Aunt Sally and music from a former member of the rock band Hawkwind are among the attractions at one of the quirkiest festivals around.

About 3,000 people are expected to attend the 19th Elder Stubbs Festival which will transform a nine-acre allotment in Cowley into a hive of activity featuring music, poetry, massage and icecream-making tomorrow.

The event is organised by the mental health charity Restore.

The event will see dozens of musicians playing acoustic, reggae, rock, folk and blues music across two stages, including former Hawkwind guitarist Huw Lloyd-Langton who will this year play for the first time with his band the Lloyd Langton Group.

Among the other events on offer are a penalty and netball shootout, manicures, pedicures and the chance for revellers to design their own G&Ds ice-cream flavour, pizza or bread.

Liz Boden, who is organising the festival in Rymers Lane, said: “It’s unique.

“As far as I know there isn’t another festival held on an allotment site anywhere and although it attracts a lot of people it doesn’t feel crowded.

“People who have been to all sorts of other festivals say they have never seen anything like it.”

In between the music there will be a talk on recovery – the theme of this year’s festival by Restore worker Bruce Gorrie.

BBC Oxford presenter Steve Brookes will also speak about the therapeutic powers of gardening.

Mrs Boden said: “Recovery is about people proving to themselves that they are able to do and enjoy things again.

“Part of that is from gaining confidence.

“A festival is a different way of breaking down barriers for people.”

The family event runs from noon to 5pm.