CHARD’S summer extravaganza is set to return to the town at the end of this month, with events planned throughout the weekend.

Festivities will kick off on August 31 with a street fair on Holyrood Street from 9am.

There will be live music from The Sea Trees, before the evening’s traditional beacon lighting.

The lighting of the beacon will be held just off Crowshute Link.

Entertainment will start at 6pm with stalls and attractions.

The lighting is set for 10pm.

The event is organised by the Chard Town Team.

On Sunday, September 1, the entertainment will move to Jocelyn Park.

There will be live music, fundraising stalls, games and lots more.

This event is set to run from noon until 5pm.

Saturday’s activities are also set to include a new young persons crier competition.

The new contest is set to be split into two categories - under 10s, and 10 and over.

It is being organised by Chard’s crier, Stuart Cummings, who is the current Somerset Champion for criers.

The winner will receive a trophy, a prize, and also be invited to help Stuart during the Chard Christmas Lights switch on.

Chard crier said: “It is a real honour to be the Town Crier of Chard.

“I love our traditions and being in a position able to uphold them, I also do Morris dancing! I am one of 152 official town criers from acoss the country, and a member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild Of Town Criers (AHGTC).

“I enjoy being involved with my local community hopefully bringing some colour, and of course noise, to events around the town.

“I often meet and greet visitors to the town including civic receptions for visiting representatives from our twin towns.

Chard has an amazing history which I love sharing.

“I enjoy representing Chard around the country with my wife Viv who dresses as my consort, at various town crier competition from which we generally do quite well at.”

In order to take part in the young persons crier competition, you must register in advance.

For more information on that, visit facebook.com/ChardTownCrier.

For further information about the Chard Summer Festival, including holding a stall at one of the weekend’s events, call 07736310805.