Thousands of people are to flock to Chingford today for its biggest summertime festival.
The Chingford Village Festival in Station Road will be officially opened at midday by London Assembly member Jenette Arnold at the Chingford Green.

For twenty years, it has been organised and led by Irene Bull, 60, missing only two years, including last year due to an injury and a lack of funding.

Ms Bull is expecting an ever bigger turn-out than the 10,000 visitors in 2012 due to the festival's absence in 2013 and the growing interest and support she has received over the past 12 months.

Up to 40 performances are scheduled throughout today until 5pm across five different venues.

The first activity is a field gun completion by the Sea Cadets and Royal Marine Cadets on the Chingford Green following a brief opening speech by Ms Arnold.

Steve Herbert will be co-ordinating the Oasis Roadshow tent area adjacent to the green which will feature line dancing at 12.15pm, followed by Salsa, Zumba,  Morris Dancing,  The B.I.G Gospel Choir and singer Jessica Johns Parsons.

In the large open space on the front green, there will be stallholders selling hot barbecue food to fish and chips and drinks include a real ale tent and Pimms.

Also featuring on the green from midday will be the West End Jazz Bands, Fuzion Kick Boxing, Epping Forest Bagpipe Band, football tournaments, rugby and tennis games.

The Choristers’ of Chingford Parish Church will lead the performances inside St Peter's and St Paul's Church on the corner of Station Road with King's Road until just before 1pm when the Soup Ukulele Band take-over for a twenty-minute session.

For the remainder of the afternoon, visitors to the church will see various choir groups perform, a performance by Rushcroft's music department, the Arts Award Theatre Company and the Glade Community Singers. 

Mornington Hall and Garden in the Green Walk is being used to host singers, choirs and a children's entertainer for a large portion of the day.

Vocal acts will dominate the stage in Vestry Hall next to St Peter's and St Paul's and the same goes for Loco Lounge further down Station Road with Shelley from the Soulscreamers hosting the bar's eight performances throughout the day.

The day is set to round-up at around 5pm and whatever the weather, the festival “will march on as always” says Ms Bull.

Ms Bull was able to expand on this year's festival through the various funding opportunities such as cost of pitches and sponsorship by the Guardian.