FINAL preparations are being made to a popular street festival in Shrewsbury.

More than 30,000 visitors are expected to descend on the heart of town for the three-day Shrewsbury International Street Theatre Festival.

Performances from the sixth festival will take place at four stages areas across the town including The Square, Pride Hill, The Market Hall and The Wheatsheaf pub on Frankwell.

Among the performers are Bruce Airhead, fresh from a stint on ITV talent show Britain’s Got Talent, who will perform a high-energy show from inside a giant green rubber ball.

Also performing are old favourites The Wardens who will gather crowds as they administrate their ridiculous arbitrary rules and regulations.

Each circle hosts six shows per day and performers are carefully selected from a worldwide roster by artistic director Bill Ferguson.

Bill told Shrewsbury Living: “Year upon year the success has been phenomenal.
“It’s an event that the townsfolk have come to love and people come from far and wide to watch the acts.

“It’s a family friendly event which has something to suit all kinds of humour.

“We are just putting the finishing touches to the festival and updating our Facebook followers regularly on what they can expect.”

The festival was established in 2005 where it was attended by 6,000 people.
By 2010 its popularity had grown to 27,000 people.

Veteran performer Bill moved from Canada eight years ago and saw Shrewsbury had potential to host a festival like this.

He added: “The festival brings so much money and trade to the town.

“Generally we like to present new performers every year but there will be a couple of the old favourites in the mix too.”

 The festival runs from Friday, September 2 to Sunday, September 4.

See www.shrewsburystreetfest.co.uk or search ‘Shrewsbury International Street Theatre Festival’ on Facebook for more details.