THE second Wye Valley River Festival is under way and will arrive in Monmouthshire on Friday.

A fire and flame spectacular around a ceremonial Giant Samovar heralded the start of the biennial festival in Hereford, setting off a programme of riverside events that will culminate in Chepstow on May 15.

The festival, which is spearheaded by the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, was last held in 2014 and attracted 20,000 visitors to a 60-mile stretch of the River Wye.

It aims to celebrate nature, culture, landscape and life along the river in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Spectators are expected to welcome a cast of river characters to Monmouth when the festival makes its first stop in the town.

Shoppers and visitors to the town may spot the river characters outside the Shire Hall and around ‘The River A & E Laboratory’ by Blestium Street and the Cattle Market Car Park, near Monnow Bridge, between midday and 4pm on May 6. Then on Saturday, the festival will be encamped on Vauxhall Fields at Monmouth between midday and 10.15pm, where there will be plenty of river antics, song and dance. There will be performances from Monmouth Band and a shoal of floating musicians, culminating with a show starting at 7pm.

The riverside revelries will also visit the Old Station at Tintern between 11am and 10pm on Friday (May 6) from noon when the Caravan of Myths and Legends starts collecting stories and spinning yarns with 1000 origami-style birds flocking in the Old Signal Box. At 6.30pm the Samovar joins the scene with the Water Ones and the George Choir for the ceremonial launch of an avian art installation entitled ‘One Thousand Luminous Birds’ by artist Kathy Hinde at 7pm. It will remain open between 10am and 11pm until May 15.

The torrent of free, family entertainment reaches Llandogo on May 14, with fun starting on the river banks at 12.30pm. There will be theatre, games, music, food and a festival bar. Towards the evening torch bearers and musicians will converge on the river’s edge as illuminations light the riverside and choirs join The Water Ones to bless the waters of the Wye.

The finale, featuring a beast feast, stalls and activities, takes place at Chepstow Racecourse from 2pm on May 15.

Visit www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk