AFTER Dunstable celebrated the arrival of the Olympic Torch in style on Monday, there’s even more excitement to look forward to this weekend.
The third annual Party in the Park comes to Grove House Gardens on Saturday (July 14).
And on the same day there’s the start of another major event on the town’s calendar – the Kite Festival on the Downs.
Party in the Park – organised by Dunstable Town Council – is expected to attract thousands of visitors as a full day of music will be rounded off with a performance by chart-toppers S Club 3.
Other attractions will include a petting zoo, children’s fairground rides, water rides, fencing, an interactive have-a-go sporting arena and a huge selection of stalls.
New for this year, the council has announced the inclusion of a large outdoor television screen that will show the recently released The Muppets film and the classic Grease.
Food and drink will be on sale throughout, with the day running from 12noon to 8pm.
For more information, visit www.dunstable.gov.uk or follow @dunstableevents on Twitter.
> The National Trust’s Dunstable Kite Festival on Dunstable Downs takes place on Saturday and Sunday (July 14 and 15).
The free event will see the coming together of groups of people from all walks of life with one common interest – kites.
This year, the festival will feature an international guest, with Belgian Jos Valcke showcasing his impressive inflatable kites.
Among the teams at the show will be Team Spectrum, a father-and-son pair comprising Bryan and Carl Wright.
Bryan started flying kites as a form of relaxation after major open-heart surgery in 1994.
Local kite-flying performer ‘Lewis – Son of the Winds’ said: “Dunstable Kite Festival is a proverbial open air ballroom where I can unleash my passions and theatrical flight.
“It allows me to sculpt air and turn it into a visual soufflé for all to eat with their eyes… a beautiful backdrop. I get immense pleasure from flying there.”
The festival will run from 11am until dusk on Saturday and from 12noon until 5pm on Sunday.
For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk or phone 01582 500920.