A FANTASTIC festival will return to the town centre next month to celebrate St George’s Day.

Free family-friendly fun and games will be held on Wharf Green on April 22 as part of the St George’s Day Festival.

Visitors will be welcomed by the festival’s host, a cheeky knight who will entertain everyone with games, prizes, and plenty of laughs.

St George himself will also be there with his dragon Blaze to meet shoppers and go on a dramatic adventure. He will also lead a parade through the town centre with the Britannia Mini/Majorettes from 12.30pm.

Members of the public, community groups, scouts, cubs, guides and dance groups are all invited to join the parade – meet at the Cenotaph.

Little ones will get the opportunity to get their face painted with an England flag, while local musicians will perform live on stage throughout the day.

The Parade will be full of Maypole dancing while fairground rides and amazing falconry displays will be set up at Havelock Square.

All the town centre businesses will be open on the day with some great ‘best of British’ offers to take advantage of.

There will also be the return of the Best of Swindon Talent Competition.

As part of the celebrations, inSwindon town centre BID wants to recognise the best talent Swindon has got to offer.

It is inviting all dancers, singers, actors, illusionists, comedians, bands, contortionists, musicians and jugglers to submit and showcase their skills at the annual talent competition.

Eight finalists will be selected from the received entries and they will perform on the day from 2pm at the Wharf Green main stage.

The winner of the competition will be chosen on the day by the talent-spotting judges.

Entrants will compete for a fantastic prize – the chance to perform at this year’s Swindon Town Centre Christmas Experience. The winner will also receive £250 worth of shopping vouchers to spend in the town centre.

Di Powell, inSwindon BID Chief Executive was looking forward to the festival.

She said: “Once again we are proud to celebrate St George’s Day in the town centre.

“The free event is set to be a great day out for the all family and it is a great opportunity to showcase the town centre businesses.

“We are so excited to be hosting the Best of Swindon talent ompetition for the third year running as part of St. George’s Day celebrations.

“The competition is aimed at giving Swindon people of all ages a unique opportunity to showcase their skills and talents.

“What are you waiting for? Enter today.”

To enter the talent competition visit www.swindontowncentre.co.uk For more information about the event, call 01793 485523, e-mail info@inswindon.com Keep up to date on all town centre events by visiting inSwindon’s Facebook page.