CHESTER Performs and the city’s retailers have teamed up to Roam the Rows.

Shoppers, families and visitors are invited to explore the city’s Rows, as Cheshire’s artists and communities take to the streets to celebrate the famous Rows in music, performance, dance and art.

The event takes place on Saturday, August 9, and Sunday, August 10, from noon-3pm.

With more than 50 artists, groups and societies taking part, Roam the Rows presents an exciting range of work from regional groups such as 2 Engage Drama, Chester Community Deaf Choir, InterAct and Mold Drama Works, Chester Musical Society, APiiS and Cheshire Dance as well as Chester artists W Terry Fox, the current Cheshire Poet Laureate Gregory MacMillan, Hayley Wood and Jayne Carle.

The event offers everything from “free running” to story telling, installation art, walkabout street performance, unusual guided tours, dance and puppetry.

Amber Knipe, Chester Performs project co-ordinator, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to see Chester in a slightly different light. By adding a bit of colour, art and entertainment we want to encourage people up on to the City’s Rows, discover what’s there and enjoy what the city truly has to offer.

“Roam the Rows is a family friendly event so people can meander through the streets with the aid of a special map for the day.”

Chester’s retailers are heavily involved in the event, which is designed to highlight the character and charm of the city centre and its historic streets.

For further information about the event go to www.chesterperforms.com or contact the Chester Performs office on 01244 409113.

Festival maps will be available from shops, information centres and Chester Performs’ own exhibition and information space at 31 Watergate Row South during the event.