1) Northamptonshire’s skies are being filled with balloons again with the return of the annual Balloon Festival.

The event is being held today(FRIDAY), tomorrow and Sunday at Billing Aquadrome in Northampton.

At 9pm on Saturday there will be the regular balloon glow where the hot air balloons are turned into giant lanterns tethered to the ground.

There will also be fun fair rides, traders, craft tents, food courts and the American Auto Club International car show during the weekend.

Admission is £5 for adult pedestrians and £2.50 for children from five to 15-years-old.

Entry for cars with up to five passengers is £10 or £25 for MPVs with up to eight people. For more details log onto www.billingaquadrome.com

2)It’s carnival time once again in Kettering as floats, dancers and music fill the streets.

Organised by The Amalgamated Clubs Committee for the Blind, the celebrations start tomorrow morning (SATURDAY), when the visiting Carnival Courts join the Kettering Carnival Court at the Athletic Club, before leaving at midday.

The party will then parade through the streets of Kettering to the Grange estate in preparation to join the main parade.

At 1pm the parade starts to travel to Stamford Road, Montague Street, Silver Street, London Road, Bowling Road, High Street, Lower Street, Rockingham Road, Wood Street and Wilson Terrace before arriving at the Pleasure Park. Activities start at the park at 8am with preparations for the fete which opens at 11am.

The day comes to an end with a dance at the Athletic club with music provided by Big Bopper Entertainment. Tickets available from the Athletic Club, Rockingham Road, Kettering, costing £5.

For more information see visit: www.ketteringcarnival.webs.com

3)There will be a display from the legendary Red Arrows and a chance to see the power of the Spitfire and Hurricane, as well as many other attractions at the Sywell Jubilee Airshow on Sunday.

There will be a huge range of flying displays as well as 25 stands to visit. Trial flights will also be on offer in the morning.

Gates open at 10am and the show continues until 6pm. On the day adult tickets cost £20, while tickets for children cost £5.

For more information log onto www.sywellairshow.co.uk

4)More than 100 bands will play on the Racecourse over the weekend as a free “green festival” returns to the park.

The annual Umbrella Fair takes place tomorrow(SATURDAY) from noon to 11pm and on Sunday from noon to 6pm.

This year the musical entertainment includes a folk stage, youth stage and some of the biggest local bands in Northampton.

Other highlights will include a cinema featuring local short films, a theatre and dance marquee, a stage powered entirely by bicycles, a horticultural marquee and an art installation.

For more information visit www.umbrellafair.org.uk

5) The UK Monster Truck Nationals will take place on Sunday at Santa Pod Raceway.

Admission is £15 for adults, £5 for children or £35 for families. Gates open at 10am.

6) On Sunday Kettering Fire Station will host its Community Fun Day at Wicksteed Park from 10am to 3pm.

There will be displays, fire service vehicles, information, and other emergency and voluntary services will also be present. Entry is free and normal car park charges apply.

7)Californian ska legends Reel Big Fish will headline The Roadmender tonight.

Doors open at 7pm. Tickets cost £14.50 in advance. See www.theroadmender.com for more information.

8)A comedy classic will be performed outdoors at Delapre Abbey today (FRIDAY) and tomorrow.

AlterEgo Theatre Company will be performing Oliver Goldsmith’s comedy She Stoops to Conquer, a convoluted story of a well-bred and witty squire’s daughter who poses as a barmaid in the aim of charming her suitor Charles Marlow.

The show will start at 7.45pm each night. Tickets cost £10 or £7.50 for concessions.

For ticket information log onto www.royalandderngate.co.uk

9) The new Collective Collaborations gallery downstairs in Market Walk, Northampton, will continue its debut exhibition for the next five weeks.

The current display includes photos produced through a project carried out by University of Northampton graduates who travelled to India to teach photographic skills to children in an orphanage.

The project was carried out in support of the work of the charity BastiRam.

10) Holdenby House Gardens will be open tomorrow(SATURDAY) as part of the National Gardens Scheme.

The 20 acre, grade 1 listed grounds will be open from 1pm to 5pm.

Entry is £5 for adults and £3 for children.