BOLTON FESTIVAL 2000, runs from Thursday August 24 to Monday August 28. Five days of music, dance, drama, street entertainment and much more. Until August 28 you can see Festival Faces, an exhibition in the Crush Hall, Albert Halls, Bolton. Not open Sundays, runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm and admission is free. It's an exhibition of photographs of people and events during the Bolton Festival over the last 21 years, taken from the archives of the Bolton Evening News. Also, Thursday August 24 to Monday August 28, Newport Street (not Sunday), Art on the Streets, 10am to 5pm open air art exhibition. A chance to see, and buy, the work of local artists as Newport Street is transformed into an open air gallery. Friday August 25, 7.30pm, Col. Lee's Mounted Ratigators, at The Octagon Theatre. Blues, jass and cajun music that is guaranteed to get your toes tapping. Tickets £5 and £4. Also, Friday August 25, Adzido present Sankofa at The Albert Halls, 8pm, tickets £8 and £6. Music, dance, drama and poetry from the acclaimed ensemble. Saturday August 26, 7.30pm, Octagon Theatre, My Life and Other Disasters, an evening with Sheriden Morley. £10, £8 and £6. Top drama critic recalls his life and career with acute and amusing observations of his experiences with David Nivel, Noel Coward and other great stars of the stage and screen. Saturday August 26 to Monday August 28, Bolton Little Theatre, 7.30pm, Trotters. Tickets £6, £5. The return of this hugely successful review, taking a nostalgic look at the events and people that have shaped Bolton over the years. Saturday August 26, 7.30pm, Bolton Millennium Festival Orchestra and Choir, The LIfe of Mozart, The Albert Halls, tickets £6, £5. Sunday August 27, Festival Songs of Praise, Bolton Parish Church, 6.30pm, join the Salvation Army Band to sing the top 10 hymns as chosen by the people of Bolton. Monday August 28, Dream Concert, Albert Halls, 2pm, tickets £5, featuring two great pop tribute bands, The Vengaboyz and The Spice-ish Girls with Geri. Monday August 28, 7.30pm, The Octagon Theatre, The Auld Triangle featuring Eddi Reader and other guests. Tickets £12, £10 and £8. Join the renowned folk ensemble from Westhoughton Folk Club with star guests Boo Hewerdine, Clive Gregson and Eddi Reader, for an unforgettable musical experience. Monday August 28, Bolton Multicultural Arts present A Midsummer Night's Dream, Albert Halls, Festival Hall, 7.30pm. Free event. A community production featuring a local cast of people of all ages and from different communities to create a unique version of Shakespeare's magical tale. Donations to Bolton West Indian Association. Tuesday August 29, 7.30pm, Wilfred Harrison, The Octagon Theatre, fringe event, tickets £5 and £4. A journey through the history of theatre by the actor/director and ex-artistic director of The Octagon Theatre. With humour and gentle wit, this is a performance for all lovers of good theatre. On the streets: Festival Funfair from Friday to Monday in Cheadle Square; Saturday August 26, dance Saturday 11am to 4pm, dazzling display of dance from local groups in Victoria Square, from disco to Irish, plus music and street theatre around the town centre. Monday August 28, 11am to 4pm, Fun Monday in Victoria Square. Especially for children, families and the young at heart. Music, theatre, puppet shows, street entertainment and the chance to make you own willow sculpture. Also, Monday August 28, Victorian street market, Le Mans Crescent, 10am to 5pm. For tickets for events at The Octagon Theatre ring Bolton 520661, all other festival events ring Bolton 334400 or call in at the Tourist and Information Centre at The Albert Halls.

FESTIVAL OF SUMMER WALKS, walking event all over Britain this summer. Organised by the Ramblers' Association, runs to August 28. There's a Bolton walk on Saturday. Winter Hill, 2pm, Colliers Road/Longshaw Ford Road junction, five miles, suitable for dogs on leads and it's a local discovery walk. Also, August 27, 2pm, Moss Bank Way/Chorley Old Road junction, three miles using cleared paths, it's suitable for dogs on leads and highlights the importance of the work carried out by Ramblers' volunteers. Also, August 28, Horwich, 2pm, Jolly Crofters, Chorley Old Road, three mile walk, suitable for dogs on leads and buggies. For details ring Bolton 692458.

CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL, various venues in Blackpool.To August 28. Contact web address: www.blackpool.gov.uk for details of events and times.

MILLENNIUM TRIATHLON FAMILY FESTIVAL, Millennium Marquee, opposite The Lowry, Salford, Quays. Saturday.. A fun festival for all the family with a specially designed mini-triathlon course involving swimming, cycling and running for youngsters. Adults also have the opportunity to challenge a Salford Red player to a mini-traithlon. Other activities include cycle skills, a bike doctor, fitness training, sports massage, turbo training, first aid demonstrations, a water pageant created by Walk the Plank with leaping birds, colourful fish and a water dragon. Starts 12 noon to 4pm. Also, Sunday August 20, The Millennium Triathlon, world class athletes will compete in this cycling, running and swimming event around Salford Quays. Starts 8am, The Lowry, Salford Quays.

FYLDE FOLK FESTIVAL 2000. Sunday August 27, The Houghton Weavers in Concert, Marine Hall, Fleetwood. Starts 8pm. Also, Monday August 28, Lindisfarne in Concert, Marine Hall, Fleetwood. Starts 8pm. Also, Wednesday August 30, The Jacinta Concert, Fleetwood Docks. Starts 8pm. Also, Thursday August 31, Fleetwood Folk Club Concert, North Euston Hotel, starts 8pm. Ring 01253 771141 for details of the above events. The Festival Programme outline starts on Thursday August 31 and includes The First Gathering, Victoria Bar, North Euston Hotel. Starts 8pm. Also, Fleetwood Folk Club Concert, North Euston Hotel. Starts 8pm. Also, Sing In The Festival, Mount Hotel. Also, events on include Friday September 1, The Songwriters Ron Baxter and Ross Campbell perform at the Victoria Bar, North Euston Hotel, from 11am. Also,John Bond leads a singaround, Mount Hotel, from 12 noon. Also, Mid Day Music will be played in the Victoria Bar, North Euston Hotel, from 12 noon. Also, the Festival Ceilidh Band will host a musicians session, Mount Hotel, from 12 noon. Also, Ron Baxter will lead a heritage walk round Fleetwood starting at the Mount Hotel at 3pm. Also, join Eileen McGann and David Knutson for a Down Home session, North Euston Hotel Ballroom. Starts 3pm. Also, Singaround Through Six with Brian Osborne, Mount Hotel, 5.30pm. Also, Friday September 1, The Marine Concert with Tall Stories, Eileen McGann and David Knutson, starts 7.30pm. Also, Folk On Friday with Camellia, Ross Campbell and Richard Hone, the Katherine Fear Band and Folklore, Victoria Bar, North Euston Hotel. Starts 8pm. Also,Mount Music at the Mount Hotel with Joe Crane, Hugh O'Donnell, Neil Brook and Tom Walsh. Starts 8pm. Also, Steamer Music with Spitting on a Roast, Strange Fruit, Eddie and Bruce and Captain Cooper's Motley Crew, Stember Hotel. Starts 8pm. AlsoJollies Night in the Jollies Bar, Fleetwood Pier. Guests include Past Carin' and Gypsy Dave Smith. Starts 8pm. Also, the Strawhead 2000 Concert with ballroom host Ron Baxter, North Euston Hotel, starts 8pm. Events on Saturday September 2 include Songs for the Jacinta with guests Camellia, Th'Antique Road Show, Fleetwood Museum. Also, Live at the Jollies with Past Carin', Strange Fruit, Elderberries, Bayou Gumbo, Fleetwood Pier. Also, I've Got Rhythm with Paul Wrigley, Scolds Bridle, Pamela Ward and Paul Cherrington, Nebula, the Katherine Fear Band and Ben and Joe Broughton, Market Tavern. Also, an afternoon concert with Gypsy Reel, Wild Welsh Women and the John Wright Band at the Marine Hall. Also, The Legion 2000 Concert with Tanglefoot, Marie Little and Meet on the Ledge at the British Legion Club. Also, Ceilidh 2000 with The Bismarcks in the Marine Hall. Events on Sunday September 3 include The Jacinta Concert with Derek Gifford, Pamela Ward, Paul Cherrington and Red Duster, Fleetwood Museum. Also, The Sid Kipper Show at the British Legion Club. Also, Rock in Jollies with Sundance, Gypsy Dave Smith, Elderberries, Strange Fruit and Past Carin, Fleetwood Pier. Also, A New Generation Concert and Young Performers Contest, Mount Hotel. Also, Lancashire and Cheshire Clog Dancing Competitions at the New Venture and Over 60's Hall. Also, Derek Stanton hosts a Lancashire Dialect Contest at the Steamer Hotel. Also, Songs for the Harriet with Scolds Bridle, Fleetwood Museum. Also, The Sunday Concert with Ben and Joe Broughton, Sid Kipper and Eric Bogle Band, Marine Hall. Also, The Legion Concert with Gypsy Reel, Tim van Eyken, Cockersdale, Kate Rusby, British Legion Club. Also The Final Concert with Folklore, Eric Bogle Band, Kate Rusby and Tanglefoot, Marine Hall. Also, September 2 and 3, Festival Craft Fair will be open in the Leisure Centre from 9.30am-5.30pm in the Marine Hall. For further details regarding events and tickets ring 01253 872317.