THE Highbridge Festival of the Arts returns today for its 75th edition of the event. 

The festival is funded by SEED, a consortium of community organisations in Sedgemoor including Bridgwater Town Council, Community Council for Somerset, Homes in Sedgemoor, Bridgwater Senior Citizens’ Forum and Young Somerset.

It is funded and supported by Arts Council England's Creative People in Places programme, which uses funding from the National Lottery.

A festival spokesperson said: "We look forward to welcoming you to our 75th festival, either as an entrant or member of the audience.

"Festival wristbands (£2) will be available on the door each day and allow you to watch all sessions that day, except for the group performances at dance."

Tickets for the Cabaret and Classical Groups at Dance will be available via The Princess Theatre and Arts Centre website or Box Office from 09:30 from today.

Last year, Mary Lawrence, who helps put the festival together, told the Highbridge Podcast: "It's an event where people of all ages, from tiny tots to 80 or 90 year olds, sometimes, come to sing, recite poems, play instruments, act in a play, dance and do all manner of performing arts. Think of it as an equivalent to a Welsh Eisteddfod."

Here is the list of events detailed: 

Monday, March 6: Speech & drama at The Princess Theatre, Burnham

Tuesday, March 7: Speech & drama, set verse poetry recitals at The Princess Theatre, Burnham 

Wednesday, March 8: Dance: Solos (four years and under, six years and under, seven and eight years); duets (eight years & under); groups for primary schools

Thursday, March 9: Dance: Solos (nine and 10 years); duets, trios, quartets (10 years and under); classical & cabaret groups (10 years and under)

Friday, March 10: Dance: Solos (11 and 12 years); duets, trios, quartets (12 years and under)

Saturday, March 11: Dance: Solos (13 and 14 years); duets/trios/quartets (14 years and under); classical and cabaret groups (14 years and under) 

Sunday, March 12: Dance: Solos (15 to 18 years); duets/trios/quartets (18 years and under); classical and cabaret groups (21 years and under); adult classes (duets/trios/quartets and groups).

Wednesday, March 15: The Music Section begins at Highbridge Community Centre

Wednesday, March 15: Piano solos and duets, Highbridge Community Centre

Thursday, March 16: School choirs and recorder groups, The Dorothy Reaney Trophy Competition, King Alfred Concert Band, Highbridge Community Centre

Friday, March 17: Instrumental players & vocal solos and duets, Highbridge Community Centre

Saturday, March 18: Instrumental players, adult vocal solos & adult choirs, Highbridge Community Centre 

Dance events will be held at The Princess Theatre. Festival wristbands are available on each day for £2 on the day at each event. 

Tickets for the Cabaret and Classical dance groups will cost £5 each and are available to purchase from The Princess Theatre and Arts Centre website or box office. 

For more information, visit www.highbridgefestival.org.uk.