THE return of one of the biggest annual events in Mole Valley is now just over a week away.
Ashtead Village Day celebrates its 30th anniversary on June 8 and organisers have vowed this year's event will be the biggest and best yet.
Attractions for the 2013 day out – which is expected to draw up to 10,000 people from across the district and further afield – will include a daring show by the Stannage Stunt Team, performing feats including setting themselves on fire and jumping from a 50ft metal tower.
Organiser Tim Ashton, from Ashtead Rotary Club, said: "We're very excited about the stunt performances. They're going to be quite spectacular and dramatic."
Village Day will also feature the eagerly anticipated Great Ashtead Bake Off, the popular fun fair, a dog show and 120 sellers' stalls will be there.
"A lot of charities who have stalls tell us it's their best day of the year," said Mr Ashton. "I think it's because people just turn up in a good mood and want to have a great time."
The Great Ashtead Bake Off will be judged by David Gillott, the founder of Ashtead dining events company Four Gables Fine Dining.
The action will take place in a special tent on the site, where Mr Gillott will also give cookery demonstrations.
Categories for budding bakers will include prizes for the best walnut and raisin loaf, the best Victoria sponge – and for younger bakers, the best cupcake.
Over the past 30 years, more than £1 million has been raised by Ashtead Village Days – last year's alone raised more than £22,000 for Rotary Club charities.
Len Wood, of the club, said: "Ashtead Village Day started very small but we have developed it and developed it, and it is professional in the sense so much goes into the organisation."
To help commemorate the event's 30th anniversary, a professional ringmaster will take a leading role in proceedings.
Noel Thompson, a qualified member of the Toastmasters and Masters of Ceremonies Federation, will don a top hat and tails for the occasion.
He will introduce the surprise celebrity guest on the day, all the arena events, including the Poptastic Dancers and Dandelion Theatre Arts, as well as the presentation of the Rotary Community Service Awards.
Admission programmes for Ashtead Village Day are available to buy from shops in the area.
Bought in advance, they are £2 per person, with no charge for children under 12. On the day they will be £4.
Programmes are available from: Ashtead News in Woodfield Lane, Ashtead Hardware in Craddocks Parade, Elphick Estate Agent in The Street, Wemms Maths Unlimited in The Street, Ashtead Garden Centre in Pleasure Pit Road, the library in Woodfield Lane, Suzanne's Hairdresser in Grove Road, and the post offices in Barnett Wood Lane and The Street.
