CELEBRATIONS for a popular festival with live music, a laser show and a food hall begin today (Thursday).

The Droitwich Salt Festival returns to Vines Park bringing new concepts and themes this year across the four-day event.

The festivities start tonight (Thursday, August 31) at 7pm with its first-ever Midlands Comedy Club Night.

A new inclusion for this year is the Food Hall, presented by Droitwich Diners Club.

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The Food Hall will run a competition where town restaurants compete in a cook-off to see who can create the best dish using salt produced in Droitwich. 

There will also be a children's funfair and food vendors, and the outdoor shopping village will also have a bigger variety of stalls.

The Fitness Village and Wellness Centre will host activities over two days and a wrestling match on Saturday, September 2 at 4pm.

To mark The Royal Navy Parachute Team's 40th anniversary, the group will jump from a helicopter over King George's Playing Field at 2.30pm on Sunday, September 3.

Also on Sunday, Saltfest Town Sports Academy - formed with Physique Fitness - will stage this year's 5k canal fun run to raise funds for local sports clubs and individuals at 9am.

The festival will reach a finish on Sunday at 7.30pm with a firework display over St Augustine’s Church.

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Organiser Simon Berry said: "We have been working tirelessly to bring you the best local talent with a full lineup over the weekend starting Friday, Sept 1, at 7pm in the new extended marquee stage area to allow more audience space.

"A variety of family activities, pony rides, The Rivers and Canal Trust Water Safety education, salt making history, Roman village and other events throughout the weekend to ensure there is something for everyone. 

"We must give our special thanks to some sponsors - Droitwich Stairlifts, Back to Eden Landscapes, Lucky 7’s Tattoo, Worcester IT Services, M.S.V.R. and Droitwich Sign and Print."