ORGANISERS are now putting together the finishing touches for what is guaranteed to be the biggest Old Town Festival yet.

The 13-day extravaganza, held from June 22 to July 4, will mark a number of special anniversaries and showcase the area's culture and heritage.

There are already more than 20 planned events in the days leading up to the main festival weekend of July 3 and 4, including a range of jazz performances at venues across Old Town, a hot air balloon lift, talks, guided walks and quizzes.

A full programme of the events is now on sale at the festival office in the former Victoria Bookshop in Wood Street, Howell's furniture shop in Devizes Road and the Tourist Information Office in the Town Centre. It costs £1.

Tickets have also gone on sale for the various events including the barn dance/ceilidh with Jo Freya on June 25 and the seven-piece Old Swan Band's performance at Leth-bridge School hall from 7.30pm to 11.30pm on the same day.

During the interval there will be an auction of prizes including hot air balloon flights and rail tickets.

A special Jazzer ticket is available for the wide range of jazz performances taking place throughout festival week as part of the Swindon Jazz Festival.

No Old Town Festival would be complete without the excitement of the annual parade.

This year the parade, on Saturday, July 3 will feature more than 300 people led by the New Orleans-style Adamant Marching Band. The procession itself is expected to reach more than half a mile in length, with children from various schools and local groups.

Around the procession route there will be street entertainment set up to keep the crowds happy.

Later in the day, there will be a gladiatorial tussle with 10 gladiators and four Roman soldiers.

Organisers have also confirmed the appearance of the Santa Fe Cowboys a group 20-30 cowboys who will be appearing with their scaled-down stagecoach.

Among the highlights of this year's festival is the Classical Extravaganza concert featuring the City of London Sinfonia Orchestra who will appear in The Bowl in the Old Town Gardens on July 3.

The concert is being organised by Swindon Council Artscape with help from Business in the Arts and npower.

On the last day, the festival will move from the Lawn to the Old Town Gardens and Quarry Lane Recreation Field.

Anyone who would like a stall on July 3 or 4 at Lawn or the Town Gardens should call Bill Gibb on 01793 695548.

Stall bookings are already exceeding last year's final total.

More information on the Old Town Festival can be found on the internet at : www.oldtownfestival.co.uk

Anthony Osborne