Roll up, roll up for a super celebration of seaside sauciness in Margate.

This weekend the birthplace of sea bathing hosts its first festival of new variety and burlesque event called Dippers and Dunkers, in recognition of its heritage.

A programme of entertainment from Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23, is a taster event and in 2010 the organisers hope to launch a week-long festival celebrating Margate's reputation as a place of classless, ageless and easily accessible entertainment, celebrating the past with a contemporary twist.

The weekend festival starts with the Sassy Seaside Show at the Theatre Royal Margate on Friday when international stars of New Variety rush from across the UK, London and Edinburgh to bring you acts that the promoters say will leave you breathless and wanting more.

Introduced by sword-swallowing Miss Behave and Professor Vanessa from the National Fairground Archive, University of Sheffield, the show includes magic, acrobatics, aerial displays, glamour and burlesque.

The incredible sideshow illusions that were highlights at Dreamland amusement park in the 1950s return and will occupy the Market Place in the Old Town from 11am-7pm Saturday and Sunday, and feature the amazing 'headless and legless women', the famed 'girl in a goldfish bowl,' Electra and the unforgettable Mummy.

Street magic workshops will be held in the Market Place from Monday 17-19, 11am-3pm; circus workshops will be held in the Market Place August 24-26, 10am-1pm and 2-5pm, spiral aerial performances at the Piazza are on Sat/Sun 22/23 11.15am-5.15pm; markets, club nights, a tattoo exhibition, educational talks and walks complete a busy programme.

For the full programme of events, visitwww.dippersanddunkers.org.ukor call 0870 2646111