Coventry Canal Basin will be pulsating to the Latino rhythm when the Mardi Gras arrives on the May Day bank holiday weekend.

A carnival-style event with masses of family entertainment will fill the basin with noise and colour heralding the arrival of the new Tabasco's Tapas Bar in the newly converted 200 year-old coal vaults.

A procession of highly decorated and colourful canal boats will launch the weekend when the Coventry Canal Society hold its annual boat rally on Sundayf at 10.30am.

Children can try their hand at painting traditional canal roses and castles, enter quizzes or have a go at line dancing while the adults can sample the beer tent and a host of other attractions.

The Mardi Gras, sponsored by the City Centre Company, Tabasco's and the Foleshill Canals Alive Ranger Service, reaches fever pitch on Monday 1 May.

With live music all day from jazz and salsa bands, families can take up the challenge of a giant inflatable Volley Ball, Bungee Run or experience the thrill of the Surf Simulator.

Younger children can have fun on the bouncy castle, fun bus, giant clown slide, play games and win prizes.

On Sunday all proceeds will be going to the Coventry Canal Society.

On May Day, all the entertainment will be provided free of charge with any donations given to the Coventry Evening Telegraph/Mercia FM Snowball appeal.

Children will also get the chance to step back in time on both days and don a different kind of costume, that worn by the boat children of the 19th century.

They will be able to make personal mementoes of Mardi Gras 2000 as well as take away lots of information about the canals around Coventry and beyond.

With free boat trips on bank holiday Monday, street entertainers and plenty of prizes to win, the entertainment will be crammed in from 11am through to 5pm.

Gillian Lawless, the City Centre Company events promotions manager, said the two-day extravaganza had been planned to provide entertainment for all ages.

She said:

"We have lined up a really interesting mix of activities for everyone. The Canal Basin should be awash with colour, activity and excitement.

The canal boat procession is a fabulous sight and a reminder of what the basin was built for. Monday will bring things a little up to date but still with an accent very much on the canal.

Gillian added:

"We thought the opening of Tabasco's was a great reason to give the weekend a real Latin feel and there will be some fabulous music - and hopefully some Mediterranean weather."