HITCHIN’S three-week-long festival kicks off this Friday, with a host of entertainment lined up for the big event.

The fiesta, which is sponsored by The Comet and the likes of Hitchin Initiative and North Herts District Council (NHDC) launches tomorrow night, with events actually starting the day after.

There are a number of things on offer, including concerts and music performances, walk and talks, events, shows, films, tours and theatre. Hitchin’s infamous RotW festival is also part of the celebrations.

“Everything is in hand. We’ve been taking numerous bookings for lots of the events and have collated what we think will be a really good festival,” said chairman of the festival committee, Tim Farr.

“We’ve had a lot of compliments from people already, saying that it’s better than ever this year. It’s fantastic that we have got so much going on.

“The ghost walks are always so popular that we have to put more on. The Anthony Slinn lecture is not until July 20, and there’s only about 15 tickets left.

“It’s just going really well. Things have already begun to sell out.”

Other things going on include an art exhibition spread out over shops in the town, which features a �10,000 piece by Hitchin artist Carl Laubin, likely to be displayed in Waterstones.

There will also be a comedy club, summer fetes, and an exclusive preview of Jonathan Ross Show favourites 4 Poofs and a Piano latest effort, which will later be performed at Edinburgh Fringe show.

Another highlight is the Priory Picnic, held on Sunday, July 3 from 5.30pm onwards, which features a variety of performances and fireworks going on into the night in Hitchin Priory’s grounds.

Tickets for all events can be bought from Hitchin Initiative, in Churchyard, or if the event is not sold out, on the day.