Village Beach, the family arts festival and celebration of Thurrock talent, is back with a bang at Grays Beach Riverside Park this July.

The one day festival, funded by Thurrock Council and Arts Council England, will this year host five stages with every kind of art.

Metal are known for both last year’s successful Village Beach, which drew 6,000 revellers from across the region as well as putting on the perennially popular Village Green event in Southend.

Five different stages have been announced for this year’s ‘Beach’, with performers to include Horndon street theatre company These 3 Guys and the Wrinkly, the Pluto jugglers, storytellers Goya Arts, the Jacqson Diego Story Emporium, the Thurrock Art Collective, Thames Delta Music, Thurrock Court Players and the Royal Opera House Thurrock Community Chorus.

Poetry and costume workshops will be two more of the delights on offer for families who want to “get creative” in the sunshine.

Sean McLoughlin, Metal’s event director for Village Beach said: “We are delighted to be invited back to Thurrock to stage Village Beach again. The strength of the festival is the fantastic local community involvement, from school children to WI members. We have loved working with Thurrock’s diverse and creative communities and can’t wait to see what talents we can discover this year.”

Mayor of Thurrock, Councillor Cathy Kent said: “Thurrock has a thriving arts community and it is only right to celebrate our diversity, culture and creativity in an annual festival right in the heart of Grays. There is something for all ages to experience and enjoy. I’ll be there on the day - please come and say hello if you see me!”

The free festival will run this year on Saturday July 16 from 11am – 7pm at Grays Riverside Park. More information at: www.villagebeachfestival.com