A LARGE inflatable pig will take up residence in the Memorial Gardens today (Saturday July 5) as part of the climax of Crawley Festival.

Pink and the size of a bus, the pig is one of a number of pieces of street theatre which will appear in the town centre park for Mainstage, the Crawley Festival's annual finale event.

In an incredible first for Crawley, people will be able to look inside the pig's belly to view strange theatrical performances taking place inside.

Also involved in the spectacle will be award winning artist Sarah Maple - winner of the Channel 4 Saatchi Gallery New Sensations award.

Sarah is a Crawley resident and aims to give audiences food for thought through her work and uses comedy to portray conceptual ideas through a light hearted approach.

Other attractions include photographic creative workshops, an art exhibition from Brambles respite care centre, face painting and a spot of therapeutic massage.

The massive stage will be back and will provide a full performance programme including music from local bands Angst, Back in Time, Us and Them and the Oriel High School Samba Band, as well as dancing displays from Street Urban Dance Co and Mullins School of Irish Dance.

The event starts at midday and finishes at 5pm and admission to the event and all activities are free of charge.

BOLNEY Village Day is set to be a swashbuckling affair this Saturday (July 5).

The theme is Pirates and a fancy dress procession will leave from the Eight Bells pub at the bottom of The Street in Bolney at 1.15pm and head up to Glebe Field, which is Bolney's Cricket ground.

The ground is accessed by going through the Church grounds which are directly opposite the pub.

The Town Crier will lead this procession and judge it at 1.50pm on the field.

Other attractions during the day include a Town Crier competition, a dance display, egg throwing, tug-of-war, Mr Magic, Walkabout Balloons, and a wide range of stalls run by various Bolney societies.

Available on the day will be cream teas, a barbecue, and a beer tent.

In the evening a Barn Dance will be held with music provided by the band One the Rum which starts at 6.30pm.

Tickets for the dance can be bought on the night and cost £6 for adults and £3 for children under 16.

The event has been organized by Bolney Village Society with the help of the local PTA.

A STUNNING carnival and a troupe of acrobats are just some of the delights awaiting visitors to Horsham Park this Sunday (July 6).

Following last year's cancellation, ParkFest is back and organisers have pulled out all the stops to make this year's summer event bigger and better than before.

ParkFest 2008 promises to bring Horsham Park to life between noon and 5pm and is bursting at the seams with a varied mix of music and entertainment.

Taking a short break from BBC Cbeebies, Sarah-Jane Honeywell will be joining in the fun when she kicks off the activities at noon.

The star of Tikkabilla and Higgledy House will launch this year's main arena show, which this year includes two amazing performing groups.

The lively Junkanoo, a 30-piece carnival percussion orchestra from the Bahamas, has chosen Horsham for the European premier of its energetic show.

The London Chinese Acrobats are also sure to entertain spectators with exciting performances of lion dancing, beautiful and colourful ribbon dancing and amazing displays of martial arts and acrobatics.

Alongside all this is a funfair, outdoor games, quad biking, arts and crafts, face painting, animals, strolling street entertainers and stalls from local organisations and charities.

With the return of Jam in the Park, the amazing Skate, BMX and In-line Jam at the Skate Park, plus a mix of live music from Tuxedo Funktion and Band of Two on the Park Podium, there really will be something for everyone at this years' event.

Admission and parking is free.

HORSHAM says bonjour to the foreign culture today as FrenchFest continues its action packed weekend.

The festival in its third year will provide the town with a variety of Gallic treats. An authentic French market will fill the Carfax along with culture, history, entertainment and displays including boules and a troupe of French Musketeers with their swashbuckling weaponry, through out the town.

Many local businesses and shops are entering into the spirit of things with special promotions, offers, discounts and samples, from wine tasting to giveaway goody bags.

Whether your practising French with the market traders, seeking out all the shopping promotions, enjoying the French food, or taking in the culture and atmosphere, there really is something for everyone to tuck into, so bon appetit. The whole FrenchFest Programme of events and offers can be seen at: www.frenchfest.co.uk

A TRACTION engine rally will be held in Dial Post this weekend featuring dozens of vintage vehicles.

The event was organised by the Sussex Steam Engine Club and Sussex Steam Shows Ltd and is their first rally in West Sussex.

It will raise money for the burns unit at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead.

The rally will be held from Saturday July 5 to Sunday July 6 at the West Sussex Showground, just off the A24.

There will be over 20 steam traction engines, as well as tractors, classic cars, motorbikes and commercial vehicles.

A vintage fairground including the famous 'Wall of Death', stalls and a real ale tent will also feature.

Tickets cost £7 for adults, £4 for children and OAPs.

It will open at 9am and close at 5pm both days.

For information visit www.dialpostrally.co.uk.

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