A FREE cider festival that attracts thousands every year is set to return to one of Dorset’s historic parks this weekend.

The annual Dorchester Cider Festival will take over Borough Gardens once again on Saturday August 20.

Organised by the Dorchester Round Table, the family-friendly celebration of the regions finest cider producers was started after a conversation in a pub between a couple of guys (who love cider) and is now in its 7th year.

In addition to the enormous amount of cider that will be on offer, the festival will also boast an array of special guests, a selection of food and live music throughout the day.

Known in full as the Dorchester Cider Festival & Perry in The Park, the latter half refers to the festival’s live music part of the event. This year the bandstand will play host to The Leggomen, The Skimmity Hitchers, That Brit Pop Band, The Surfin’ Birds and Koast. And it doesn’t end there, an acoustic stage will welcome Carley Varley, Nick Capaldi, Nathan-Jon and Jamie McDonald.

A spokesperson for the Dorchester Cider Festival said: “Meet and be served by our guest cider makers and sample numerous award-winning tipples, from delicate elderflower infusions to leg wobbling scrumpy and everything in-between, all in the towns relaxed Victorian park atmosphere.”

Furthermore, there will be over 80 ciders on offer from producers such as Dorset Star, Dickies Dribble, Weymouth Cider Company, Noddy’s Cider, Twisted Cider, Sandford Orchards and many more. Organisers have also announced a new guest producer for this year’s festivities, Dark Side Cider, a Solihull based craft cider.

Organisers added: “We’ll also be serving soft drinks, beers and wines for non-cider drinkers who want to join the fun.”

If you’re wondering how you’ll soak up the cider look no further as you’ll have Posh Pigs, Barbequestar, Wild Meats, Oggy Oggy Cornish Pasties, Mad Mitch ice cream plus more in the food village.

Like previous years, all profits from the event are distributed to local good causes by the Dorchester Round Table who over the years have raised tens of thousands through the running of the cider festival.