FOR the second year running the streets of Coleford will be transformed into a celebration of world music and arts.
Thousands of people enjoyed last year's free, multi cultural Coleford Music Festival and those who attended will not have forgotten the sight of a Chinese dragon dancing in the street, the sound of steel bands, the beat of the African drums, the rhythm of belly dancers and the colourful French market.
The ethos of this community festival is also to give local talent a platform to perform on and to promote themselves as well as bringing visitors into the area to help regenerate the town centre.
This year's festival is expanding to include other expressions of art such as an Arts Trail in and around the town centre during the week running up to and including the Bank Holiday weekend of May 6th and May 28th.
Appearing at the festival on Sunday and Monday will be wood carver John Wakefield, whose recent work has included many outdoor pieces fashioned from dead or dying trees. John will be sculpting a special piece in the town centre which will be auctioned off to the highest bidder on Monday evening.
Organisers have also set aside a space in the spotlight for one of the Forest of Dean's up and coming bands - Battle of the Bands' competition will be held with the winning entry performing live on stage at the music festival Heats will be held over the Bank Holiday weekend and anyone wishing to enter can send their recorded material and and details by April 13th to Battle of the Bands PMT Promotions, P O Box 27, Coleford, Gl 16 7YQ.
The event will be the latest broadcast project by the Forest of Dean Community Radio.
Any performer or artists wishing to participate should contact the Festival Office, Tourist Information Centre, High Street, Coleford.