THERE is now less than a month to go until the big event of Ilminster’s year returns to the town.

The Ilminster Midsummer Experience 2018, or IMEx, will be back with a bang, bringing with it more than 20 attractions.

The annual event has been running since 2008 and draws include arts, music, exhibitions, fun shows, markets and more.

This year’s event will run from Thursday, June 7 to Sunday, June 10. Michael Fry-Foley, of event organisers Experience Ilminster, said: “This is its 11th year and it is now firmly in place as one of the town’s summer highlights drawing people from throughout Wessex.

“Quite literally the flagship of the event is more than 100 flags which will be put up for four weeks starting May 27. Over the four days there are more than 20 events kicking off, including the final five events of the Ilminster Literary Festival on June 7 and 8.”

On Friday, there will also a jazz concert at Ilminster Arts Centre, which is also hosting an art exhibition titled A Passion for Paint. This closes on Saturday.

Saturday will also feature the Silver Street food and craft market with a record 40 stallholders, the suitcase market in the Market House, and the community drive, where charities and organisations fundraise and inform of their good work.

Whitelackington Art Group’s pop-up exhibition is in the Minster Rooms and the Warehouse Theatre is holding an Open Day.

Michael added: “Sunday’s events will be on the Recreation Ground where there is the very popular classic vehicle show, family dog show, the community lunch with a full bar, and a children’s fun fair and a superb brass band concert from phoenix brass band.”

The food court is returning, the revamped rec kiosk will be selling refreshments and the strolling garage sale is back.

The majorettes will perform again, as will disabled strongman Gary Clarke.

Always the centrepiece of Sunday, this year’s community lunch will be hosted by Harlequin CC. They will be putting on a Ploughman’s Lunch for £7.50 in advance or £8.50 on the door. Visit www.ilminsterexperience.co.uk for information.