A WEALTH of local talent and international stars from the world of jazz are set to get the feet tapping and provide a feast of entertainment for more than a fortnight in Haslemere next year.
With the all-time jazz greats Johnnie Dankworth and Cleo Laine already booked to herald the start of the event aimed at putting the town well and truly on the map, the Haslemere Festival is planned to become an annual event.
With the main events already booked, festival chairman Hamish Donaldson and his team have combined outside entertainers with local groups, supporting features and talks with displays and exhibitions, to bring together the best of everything the town can offer - and more.
From young people to senior citizens, there is bound to be something for everyone with almost 100 events taking place over the course of the 16-day festival, which is to run between May 14 and May 31, 2004.
A taster of what is to come includes the famous jazz duo in concert at the Haslemere Hall, The Temperance Seven performing at Woolmer Hill School, The Rude Mechanical Theatre Company, and an Abba Tribute Band.
A schools' concert, a Last Night of the Proms concert by Haslemere Music Society, music hall, an Opera Omnibus concert, a piano recital and jazz workshops and a jazz festival all feature in the vast programme.
And there's plenty for the younger children too, with kite flying and balloon rides, story telling, a visit to the town by a well-known children's author and a youth chess tournament to look forward to.
A magnificent finale to the festival includes a gala performance of The Magic Flute by Surrey Opera and a spectacular firework display close to the High Street.
There are to be at least two events taking place every evening of the festival and more than 20 talks covering everything from flower arranging to walking to Santiago de Compostello.
And there is still room for more said Mr Donaldson, 67, a former merchant banker who has lived in the town for almost 30 years.
He is no stranger to organising some of the best of the town's celebrations.
Among them have been Haslemere's millennium celebrations and the town's Queens jubilee tea party. He is also president of Haslemere Players and a church warden at St Bartholomew's Church.
Included in his team are other well-known Haslemere personalities among them Don Stacey, Mike Clarke, and Keith Sheppard, as well as an advisory group of six people.
The festival is costing an estimated £45,000 to stage, and local people are being asked to be sponsors. Five hundred pounds buys an event sponsorship with extra publicity, £100 a special mention and a chance to meet the stars, and for £50 local firms can become a corporate business sponsor.
Local people are being asked to consider contributing £20 to become a friend of the festival and for £50 they can become a golden friend with a mention in the programme and also meet the stars.
"There is room for more events and good and entertaining ideas," said Mr Donaldson, who is promoting the festival as a district-wide event within a 15-mile radius of the town.
• For more information phone Mr Donaldson on 01428 644423.