RESIDENTS are gearing up for a repeat of last year’s spectacular Stratton Festival with hundreds expected to turn out to enjoy the activities and stalls.

On July 19, Grange Leisure and the fields behind are expected to play host to an afternoon of festivities from 12pm to 6pm, including arts and crafts from 12pm to 2pm, a mobile youth club from the Bios Van, equipped with Xbox, PS4, and iPad Gaming from 12pm to 3.30pm, and a vintage vehicle display and a rally at 3.30pm.

John Foley, chairman of Stratton St Margaret Parish Council, said: “Last year, 5,000 people turned out and this year we’re hoping there will be even more and it will be even better.

“There is something there for everybody, for the young and for grandmas and grandpas.

“There used to be a festival but 20 or 30 years ago it just died a death.”

During the day visitors can also visit a craft fayre featuring more than 30 different stalls and a football challenge from Stratton Junior Football on the artificial grass pitch and a mini tournament for the Stratton Festival Football 2014 Cup.

The festival is always held around the patron saint of the community, St Margaret’s Day, as a way of creating community spirit.

Children can take part in a variety of workshops from 2.45pm to 4.30pm, including circus skills, a bubble workshop and Colonel Custard Work-shop. At 5pm children can then sit back in wonder as they watch a special magic show.

Animal lovers can also learn about creatures in the reptile tent hosted by Andy’s Animal Encoun-ters, and enter their dogs in Drove Vets’ Dog Competitions from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

The competition will be rounded off with the Best In Show competition in the main arena at 5.15pm.

Animal owners will also be able to have a go at training their pooch on the agility course from 2pm.

During the day visitors can also sample from a variety of different vendors, including the Grange Bar and Coffee Shop, festival barbecue and finger food.

They can also try out the special Stratton Festival Ale brewed especially by Arkell’s Brewery, which can be bought for two Stratton Groats when exchanged for £1.50 each.

During the evening, visitors can continue the frivolities by going to the Stratton Festival Disco from 7.30pm to 11.30pm.

Tickets for the disco cost £10 of families of two adults and three children, £5 for individual adults and £2.50 for children.

All funds raised will go towards Intensive Care Unit at the Great Western Hospital.