THIS weekend sees FAB Festival return for its 26th year, complete with a brand new event and a host of international acts.

Street Fest will for the first time close down Wheelock Street this Saturday, June 18, for a dance and music festival, while artists from as far as the USA, Cuba and India will perform over the weekend.

Organiser Dave Thompson, events manager at Middlewich Town Council, helped found the event back in 1990 and says he never tires of watching it develop.

“It’s a world away from when we started in 1990. It’s great to have seen it grow,” said Dave.

“Wherever possible we look to grow. It’s a small group of staff and volunteers that are putting this thing on.

“Lots of planning goes in so we are relying on so many people to do their bit to make it happen. It’s draining but exciting, even after 26 years I still get excited.”

With FAB attracting around 25,000 people over three days, it is hoped that this year’s festival will see record-breaking figures.

Street Fest on Wheelock Street will bring a new element to the weekend, while eight official fringe venues are also hosting 50 free performances across the three days.

Dave said: “I’m looking forward to Street Fest, and there are a lot of things we have to put in place to get people into the town centre to enjoy it. Getting to meet the bands is great as well, and I really look forward to it.

“I hope people will support the fringe venues – it’s such a big part of it. It’s great that they support us the way they do and we really appreciate it.

“People are coming from all over the UK and the North West. We know the impact it has on the accommodation in this area – everything is full.”

The South will headline the live stage on the festival’s opening night this Friday as one of 30 main stage acts, while over 100 free performances will be available across the three days.

For more information on Middlewich FAB Festival, visit midfest.org.uk or middlewich.org.uk.