Written by Charlie Ryrie from Hay-on-Wye:

"It's back, on Saturday 27 October, Hay on Wye will be aflame with excitement after a whole week's sizzling build up starting the previous Saturday with a scorching competition to find Wales' Hottest Fire fighter.

On the evening of 27 October dragons, dancers, Swansea's 50 strong Samba Tawe, fire performers and revellers of every age will fill the streets with music, magic and merriment for a grand lantern lit procession. This leaves the market square at 6.30 to head down to the riverside Warren for a spectacular fire show devised and directed once again by the town's David Eveleigh, aka Goffee the fire wizard.

Following on from the huge success of last year's return of Hay on Fire after a gap of a decade, this year events and workshops are running all week leading up to the fire show followed by drama school for young people the week after.

Local schools are spending October frantically making dragons for a midday procession through town to fire things up on the 27th while children and families have the chance to join workshops to make lanterns, masks and learn African dancing and percussion, then take their new skills and creations to join the evening's grand procession to the riverbank.

Flame Academy the week after the fire show gives young people the chance to learn drama skills under the tuition of Cardiff's renowned Italia Conti drama school.

This year's dragon theme comes from an old legend involving King Lludd, dragons, children and a young Merlin. The story somehow involves a powerful mix of toppling towers of fire, fire trails, fire sculptures and fireworks, and includes performances from Hay's very own cross-dressing Morris dancers, a battle re-enactment group, even fiery stock cars converted into dragons.

Hay on Fire is billed as "The Hottest Show in Wales", and promises to be a fantastic event. After the fire show you can keep on partying with Samba Tawe in the town square, and enjoy a fabulous final gig with local bands.

It will be a night to remember. Last year 4,000 people joined in the fun, making the trip from all over the country.

All workshops and the grand procession are free, and tickets for the fire show cost £5.00 for adults, £1.50 for children up to 16, under 5s free. You can purchase tickets on line at www.hayonfire.org , or in town where they will be exchanged for wristbands before the main event.

Hay on Fire is energetically organized by Hay's Department of Enjoyment and couldn't happen without the huge support of the town as well as agencies who help to fund the ambitious project.

It also relies on a host of volunteers who help with everything from leafleting to set building and stewarding. If you could help with anything on the day or during the preceding events, please get in touch, your help will be hugely appreciated.

There are also some opportunities for a few stallholders, also please get in touch to get a pitch. Contact me, Charlie Ryrie, Charlie@HayOnFire.org."

Written by Charlie Ryrie from Hay-on-Wye