Watford talent will be involved at every level of the borough's Big Centenary Celebration.

Musicians, dancers, actors and performers from the town will take to Cassiobury Park bandstand on Saturday - but everyone from technicians, designers and organisers are also drawn from the area's best.

The Big Centenary Celebaration will kick off with a parade through the town centre from 11am and end with performances by headliners Naughty Boy and Rak-Su from 6pm to 9pm.

Local arts projects are the main engines driving the performances. Stage in the Park and the Watford Pumphouse have pulled together the day’s stage and bandstand performances, with local artist Amma Gyan leading the parade preparations.

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Artistic co-ordinator Dan Clarkson, from The Stage in the Park, said: “It is a collaboration for Watford by the people of Watford.

“We are encouraging everybody to be part of the history of what is one of the greatest boroughs in the country.”

Watford Observer: Parade preparations with Amma Parade preparations with Amma

The Stage in the Park use Cassiobury Park as an open-air venue for a variety of performances.

They have used their contacts so the bandstand will host home-grown theatre, dance, spoken word, music and stand-up comedy on the day.

Dan told us that unfortunately Elton John was booked up.

He added: “We really did make sure we got all our performers from the local areas. We wanted to show everyone we are all a great community.

“We called Watford technicians and sound designers, we wanted to show there’s so much talent here.”

There is another anniversary this year, The Pumphouse have been booking and supporting Watford acts for 30 years.

“For the whole event we want to involve the community, so we contacted Watford talent we know and asked them to perform, and then more people contacted us to be involved and that was how we put it together.

“We will be going back through the decades linking performances back to those times, and hopefully people can learn a few things about our history.

Watford Observer: Parade decorations being preparedParade decorations being prepared

“We want to show how much talent we have and we also want people to enjoy themselves after Covid.”

Celebrations will include the music of Elton John by the Martin Kaye band as well as retro soul from Stephanie McCourt, alongside local charities and arts projects like Electric Umbrella, The Stage in the Park and The Pumphouse.

Elected Mayor Peter Taylor said: “The event is a great opportunity to celebrate 100 years of Watford, there really is something for everyone.”