After a break of over fifty years, Midsomer Norton Fayre will return this Saturday between 12 noon and 5 p.m. – and the whole town is getting behind the event to help make it a success. Indeed, it is hard to find a section of the community which isn't doing something to contribute to this once much loved event!

The main event, where all the main activities will be free, thanks to the sponsorship of Midsomer Norton Town Council, will take place in and around the Skate and Adventure Play Park in Gullock Tyning. The road will be closed to traffic beyond the entrance to the Leisure Centre, which will be open for business as usual. This means there will be plenty of space for the Fayre, allowing the High Street to be kept fully open so businesses can trade as normal.

Opening with the Duck Race run by the Lions at 12 noon, the Fayre will begin with a procession of over 100 children along Gullock Tyning to the Somer Centre car park where the Maypole Festival will take place. Gullock Tyning itself will be lined with 27 community stalls – promoting their organisations and offering a range of things to buy and activities to take part in. The Maypole Festival will conclude with a chance for the audience to 'take up a ribbon and have a go before trophies and medals are awarded to teams.

Following the Maypole Festival will be a range of live dance and drama performances through the afternoon with a live brass band in between sessions from Susan Hill Dance, Avon Dance Academy and the Midsomer Theatre Company. There will also be a Fancy Dress Competition for the big day on the theme of 'Characters from Books' due to take place at 3.15 p.m. – to enter, just come along on the day.

With the town having one of the finest Skate Parks in the country, we have the perfect venue for a Skate Jam which is being run by the Manic Skaterz. Competitions begin at 1 p.m. with awards across a range of competition categories.

Meanwhile, the judging of the Town Show will be taking place of all the entries in the massive 720 square metre Town Show Marquee. It's not too late to enter one of the five sections of Cookery, Hobbies and Crafts, Flowers and Produce, Art and Photography and Children's Entries. Visit the Town Hall or Library for an entry form or download one from Community Trust's website (see below). Entries can be brought along on the day between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., with presentations at 4 p.m.

To give a flavour of the original medieval fayre, Kidsrome will be bringing their farm animals. There will also be a wide range of activities to take part in, ranging from Punch and Judy performances at 1.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m., a giant model building session run by the Wansdyke Play Association, craft and music workshops and balloon modelling. In the town, there will be a shop window competition on the theme of red, white and blue, plus Steggfest – a programme of live band music at the Town Hall and 'The Big Gig' at Midsomer Norton Rugby Club.