HOLD onto your hat for one of Dorset's quirkiest festivals.

Bridport Hat Festival returns on Saturday, September 3 and promises to be fabulously fun.

Originally starting in 2009 as a low-key bit of charitable fun, Bridport Hat Festival has now grown to be an important and spectacular event in the town’s busy calendar.

Last year's event was scaled back due to ongoing concerns around the pandemic, however, the much-loved festival will be back crazier than ever.

It will be opened by Bridport Mayor Ian Bark at 10am on Saturday, in Bucky Doo Square, followed by music from the Bucky Doo ' Pop Club Stage'.

As is tradition, the mass-hatted photo will be taken in the square at 1pm followed by judging of the various hat competitions.

Why not throw your hat into the ring for one of the competitions - there's categories for everyone including Elegant Ensemble, Fun Hat, Hat-Hurling, Best Hatted Shop Window and, of course, the Dogs' competition.

The all-day HatFest Garden Party is also taking place on the same day at Bridport’s Millennium Green where there will be food, a licensed bar, music and entertainment throughout the day from 10am until 6pm.

Live music will play from dawn til dusk with acts including Bridport Broadsides Shanty, Lester Parrott, Sideway and a two-hour set from Charles Smith & his Arcadia Jazz Band.

Millennium Green is also the stage for most of the competitions - hat-hurling kicks off proceedings at 10.30am - but for the less competitive there is Vintage Tea Party on the green from 2pm until 5pm.

A collection will be made throughout the town with all proceeds being donated to head related charities.

The 2021 festival saw donation pots dotted around the square on the day and more than £700 was raised for Brain Tumour Research and the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust.