by Rachel Hovenden
rhovenden@thekmgroup.co.uk

People are in for a week of fun and celebrations kicking off this weekend – and it is all free.

Dartford will play host to a weekend of fun in Central Park, while Gravesend’s week-long Big Seven festival will get under way on Sunday.

On Saturday, from noon, Dartford’s Central Park will be filled with belly dancers, Irish dancers and tribute acts to Michael Buble, Abba and the Bee Gees.

That day’s entertainment will end with X Factor star Andy Abraham and Britain’s Got Talent singer Ronan Parke (pictured left).

On Sunday there will be a church service in the park at 11am, followed by music including Glee and Take That tribute bands.

To finish off the weekend, pop singer Gareth Gates (pictured right) will headline at 5.15pm.

Over the weekend people will also have the chance to try out archery, rugby, volleyball, football, dancing, and slacklining, which is similar to walking a tightrope but with a slacker rope.

At Fairfield Pool in Lowfield Street, youngsters aged eight to 12 will get the chance to scuba dive.

In Gravesend, the Big Seven fun will start on Sunday and continues throughout the week.

Attractions over the next few days include a fun fair in Ordnance Road and live music at the Civic Square in Windmill Street. There will also be an exhibition of North West Kent College students’ art work at the Blake Gallery in the Civic Centre.

This Sunday , Black Lace will headline the entertainment at Fort Gardens, playing from 5.15pm.

The following weekend, the festival will reach its climax with a fireworks display, carnival, a sailing barge match and summer regatta on Saturday, July 23.

There will also be a Party on the Prom at Gordon Promenade with performances by several bands including Doctor and the Medics.

This party will also begin the borough’s countdown to the London 2012 Olympics.

The Hummingbirds community group is also organising a week of activities in Gravesend, running from this Saturday, July 16 until Saturday, July 23.

It will mainly take place in the Heritage Quarter of the town.

There will be live music from the war years and Russian and Eastern European music, with a range of art exhibitions at pubs and bars. As well as the usual pint, shoppers will be able to pick up vintage clothing and accessories from The Three Daws pub in West Street, Gravesend.

On Sunday, youngsters will get the chance to help make a giant collage from recycled clothes.

Jackie Byrne, 53, founder of the Hummingbirds, said: “We want to create something for the community, run by the community. We hope to bring people together to enjoy the heritage quarter.”

• We'll be at the Dartford Festival on Saturday - why not come and see us?

For more information about the Dartford festival go to www.dartford.gov.uk/festival
For more information on Gravesham’s festival go to www.gravesham.gov.uk