Pictures and video: Festival-goers all revved up for Cholmondeley Pageant of Power

The annual Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (CPOP) yesterday welcomed the first of the thousands of visitors flocking to admire some of the most powerful engines around.

Now in its eighth year, the festival regularly sees about 50,000 visitors. And this year's pageant kicked off with a Lotus celebration featuring a parade showing an example of every Lotus ever made, including new models such as the Evora GTE.

For evening entertainment, the RPJ band took to the stage performing favourites from Nirvana and Kings of Leon to Robbie Williams and Bryan Adams.

James Hall, event director, said: "This is the eighth staging of CPOP and without a doubt we have the best show content we've ever had this year.

"It's fantastic to see the track full of Group B rally cars, motorbikes and supercars – and we're very pleased to welcome so many Lotus owners who have brought along some simply stunning cars. The weekend is action-packed – and we still have tickets available online and on the gate."

Today tributes were paid to American muscle power cars with oversized engines, racing stripes and Mustangs, before tomorrow's poster cars take centre stage. Former X Factor contestants Tenors of Rock were today also entertaining the crowds.

The event also featured bike legends Dougie Lampkin and Sammy Miller, along with Triumph, the Millyard Viper V10 and a Suzuki Hayabusa.

Visitors on Sunday will be treated to the world's only flying Vulcan as it takes to the skies above Cholmondeley.

Meanwhile, on the lake there will be a wide range of watersport action including jet ski racing and flyboarding demonstrations.