IT’S that time of the year again when Stroud will be transformed into a vibrant whirl of music, arts, theatre and poetry.

The highly acclaimed Fringe Festival will take over the town this bank holiday weekend for a jam-packed schedule of music, live performance and street entertainment.

With the free festival celebrating its 20th anniversary and over 130 different acts performing on seven unique stages over three days and nights - it promises to be the biggest and best year yet.

Musical highlights for 2016 include James Canty, Ardyn, Mirror Furies, Zak Abel, Hattie Briggs, Chinese Burn and ska legend Rhoda Dakar, former lead singer for The Bodysnatchers.

Fringe team member Lotte Lyster said: “Preparations are going really well, everyone’s putting in a lot of hours and not getting much sleep.

“We’ve got some really exciting bands again this year. Having Ardyn headline Bank Gardens on Friday will be quite an emotional moment - I’ve seen them grow up and develop into amazing artists.

“And Amadou Digane and Mark Smuilian will bring a West-Afrian cool vibe to the Ecotricity Canal Stage on Sunday afternoon so I’m looking forward to a dance.”

This year there will be open-air stages at Bank Gardens and the Wallbridge Canal and improved venues at Cornhill market and St Laurence Church in the town centre.

The legendary Block Party is again expected to transform the loading bay at Merrywalks shopping centre into an incredible outdoor fiesta with a fiery line-up of hip hop, funk, disco and reggae.

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Other highlights include a revised street procession through the town, which is introduced by a surprise new project from the makers of Colourscape.

This immersive labyrinth of colour and light proved incredibly popular last year and will be returning to Stratford Park, with extended opening hours to deal with the crowds.

Meanwhile Food Street returns to show off delicious flavours from across the globe, including wood fired pizza’s, pie and mash, Italian gelato ice cream, vegan Indian snacks, and Sri-lankan street food – to name just a few.

Alongside this, the master brewers at Stroud Brewery have created a new beer especially for the festival called Golden Fringe.

Returning again to the Ecotricity Canal Stage will be the Big Red Bus Bar, which will provide refreshments throughout the weekend while pumping out an eclectic musical mix, from jazz to world music.

Team member Julie Howe said: “I’m a big fan of Rhoda Dakar so I can’t wait to see her perform on our main stage - she’s a ska legend.

“I’m also looking forward to seeing Mirror Furies, they’re hotly tipped and I think they’re going to be huge.

“This year’s parade is all about the kids. There will be flag making workshops in the children’s area of Bank Gardens on Friday and Saturday afternoon - then the fruits of the children’s creative labours will be paraded through the streets of Stroud.

“Setting off from outside the Sub Rooms after the Symphony of Bells, there will be a sea of flags in Stroud scarlet fluttering in the breeze. Come along and join fun.”

Another highlight of Saturday will be found in Cornhill, the location of Stroud’s award-wining farmers’ market during the evening.

Chris Head, who recently directed a five star show at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, will be expertly curating a Comedy Cabaret featuring an array of entertainments.

Then on Sunday, Good on Paper will be taking over St Laurence Church above Bank Gardens for an exclusive exhibition of eight local artists from various disciplines, including film installations, sculpture and other visual art.

Jaz Parsons, another member of the team behind Stroud Fringe, added: “We have also had a really great response to our call for volunteers.

“It’s brilliant that people want to get involved but we’ve still got space for more… the more the merrier.

“Just apply through the website or email volunteers@stroudfringe.co.uk”

For the first time this year the team have launched an app – Stroud Fringe 2016 - which can be downloaded from the Appstore on IPhone and Android.

This gives festival-goers the full line up, venues, information and allows them to set live updates for when bands are starting.