YATE's iconic festival is set to return this weekend after a three-year absence.

Yate Rocks!, the ever-popular annual community festival in Kingsgate Park, will return this week to coincide with Glastonbury.

The event was originally launched to promote the park and to bring the community together in a fun and entertaining environment.

However the event has grown so exponentially, organisers are expecting thousand of people to arrive for the weekend.

A spokesperson for Yate Town Council who organise the event said: "We are delighted to that Yate, Rocks! can finally go ahead.

"Yate Rocks! is now a significant local event and the Saturday attendance has grown from an initial 750-1,000 people at the first festival to over 5,000 people attending throughout the day and we cant wait to see them all!"

Local bands and dance groups as well as schools and associations are set to perform on Saturday including, Rose Bruford, Limited Edition, Longshots, Uncle Buck, Ragged Union, 51 Degrees, and Doc Rock. ROKH ,  5678 Dance, Burlesque Dance, Redds and Street Cred will showcase their dance troupes.

On Sunday, Praise in the Park in the morning will be followed by an afternoon of music from choirs from the local area  - visitors are invited to enjoy a picnic in the park.

Councillor John Ford, Chair of Yate Town Council’s Events Sub Committee said:

"We are over the moon to be able to welcome the community back to this event, it will be wonderful to see the park full of  people  enjoying themselves after the hiatus of the last three years. 

"This year we have added in some Jubilee related items, including a fancy dress competition for the children, royal themed free crafts and the bands and choirs will be including music through the last seven decades.  We look forward to seeing the crowds this weekend”  
The free event takes place over the weekend of June 25 and 26 in Kingsgate Park, Yate.