THE countdown for Cirencester's highly-anticipated free music and arts festival has officially begun.
The Phoenix Festival will return to Abbey Grounds Park (GL7 2DA) in Cirencester between 11am and 10pm on Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27.
It is run by unpaid volunteers from Cirencester and the surrounding villages and is made possible through donations on a JustGiving page.
This free two-day event first took to the stage in 2013 and has been growing ever since.
Around 15,000 people attend the festival every year and there is always an extensive line-up of over 40 acts which perform on two stages throughout the weekend.
This year Jodie Jackson aka Miss Madonna will be headlining The Cozy Powell Stage on Saturday.
A Bon Giovi tribute act, The Shadow Monkeys, Neon Fields, The Sarah C Ryan Band and Cirencester Singers will also be performing on same stage.
More talented acts such as The Bob Porter Project, The Half Light, Stay Tuned and Absolution will be entertaining the audience on the Phoenix Stage.
There will also be a funfair and an array of stalls showcasing everything from unusual crafts and gifts to fun fancy dress, toys and jewellery.
Visitors can indulge in a range of food and drink stalls or bring their own picnics.
A spokesperson for Phoenix Festival said: "We really hope you all have a fantastic weekend with us.
"The event is produced solely by unpaid volunteers who give up their time freely to enable you to come and enjoy the best free festival in the Cotswolds.
"We have incredible support from the Cirencester Community Development Trust and Cirencester Town Council, whose help is invaluable to us and we would like to thank them for all they do to enable the festival to go ahead and for allowing us to use the beautiful setting of the historic Abbey Grounds.
"We also have to thank all of our sponsors and supporters, financial help is so important to this festival and without this help and assistance we could not hold such a remarkable community event.
"This festival was given to us all by some incredible young people and it’s so important that we continue their legacy by keeping this community event free for everyone to enjoy."
Organisers want to remind festivalgoers that they will not be allowed to bring their own BBQs and alcohol onsite due to licensing laws.
Furthermore, visitors have been encouraged to bring as much soft drinks or water as they can carry but no glass bottles will be allowed onsite.
Dogs have also been banned this year.
Locals can walk, cycle or get a bus to the festival.
Cirencester’s nearest railway station is Kemble (around 5 miles away) on the Cheltenham-Swindon-London line.
Once at Kemble festivalgoers can get a taxi to Cirencester, or get on the limited bus service.
Car parks in Cirencester include The Market Place, Abbey Grounds car park, Brewery car park, Old Station car park, Waterloo car park, Forum car park which all operate a pay and display system.
To find out more visit phoenix-festival.co.uk
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