It's the last bank holiday weekend until - gasp - Christmas, so make the most of the three days with these fun-filled events.

*AFTER a week of rehearsals, Dorchester Youth Theatre's production will hit the stage tonight and tomorrow afternoon.

The youngsters will be performing Olive in the Underworld at the Thomas Hardye School Theatre in Dorchester on Friday, August 24 at 7.30pm and Saturday, August 25 at 11.30am.

The production, with 30 youngsters taking part, includes a Greek Island, some tourists, a sprinkling of nymphs, a few Greek Gods - not to mention a three headed dog!

The play in a week project is known as Dorchester Youth Theatre's Combined Arts Week.

Spokesman Carol Burgess said: "This project gives young people the opportunity to try different skills, some may never been on stage before, and the talent on board can be quite surprising. Our thanks to Casterbridge Rotary and West Dorset District Council for support with this project."

Tickets are available on the door or online at dorchesterarts.org.uk or call the box office on 01305 266926.

*THE big three events return to Dorchester for its famous festival long weekend.

The fun kicks off with the Anonymous Festival on Saturday, August 25 at Maumbury Rings, which will be held between 11am and 6pm.

Among the activities people can try are graffiti art, slacklining, a carpet run, pom pom making and free running.

On Sunday, August 26 Dorchester’s Love Parade is back. This celebration of LGBTQ+ life is at Maumbury Rings from 12pm to 8pm, with performances from Lionstar, Sheila Tackya as Cher, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Neil Ross, Zumba, Benny Mayhem and more.

Later on there will be an after-party in Cafe Jagos with DJ Matty H.

Then on Monday, August 27, return to Maumbury Rings for one last time for Dorchester Town Council’s free concert from 1pm to 10pm.

*DORCHESTER Lions, in conjunction with Dorset Mind will be holding a Duck Race along the River Frome on Sunday (26).

Some 250 ducks will be released into the river from the bridge by Tom Brown's beer garden at 11am by Dorchester Mayor David Taylor. The race will finish at the next bridge down.

Ducks cost £1 each and will be available to buy on the day.

The event has been kindly sponsored by Poundbury Build and Maintenance and David Upshall Insurance Services. This means that all money raised will go directly to Dorset Mind, to help implement and continue their services in the Dorchester area.

*THE Great Dorset Steam Fair, which continues until Monday, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

There's lots to see and do at the show, which is situated on the A354 between Blandford and Salisbury at South Down Farm, Tarrant Hinton near Blandford.

Five hundred steam engines from across the globe will be making their way to the showground for the special 500 at 50 display to commemorate the fair’s golden anniversary. There will also be around 100 heavy horses, live music and show classes in the ring. See the website gdsf.co.uk for more information.

*STEP back to the 1940s with a fun family event at Radipole Gardens in Weymouth tomorrow.

Organisers want to celebrate the garden’s heritage, which links to both World Wars and they’re hoping adults and children enter the spirit by donning their best 1940s outfits.

Entertainment includes live music, a line-up of military vehicles, heritage display, miniature steam train and more.

It takes place from 12pm to 4pm and refreshments will be available.

*CANDLES on the Cobb returns to Lyme Regis from 8pm on Sunday, August 26.

The event, which has been organised this year by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis for the first time, will see 5,000 candles lit on The Cobb to provide one of of the most spectacular sights in the south west summer calendar.

To find out more information about the event or to buy your own candle, you can visit the RNLI Shop, Serendip Bookshop, or buy online at candlesonthecobb.org

*THE Five Churches Fete and Family Dog Show will be held at Athelhampton House near Dorchester on Monday afternoon from 12pm to 4pm. The judging of the dog show will take place at 1pm.

Tickets to the fete and family dog show will cost £5 for adults and £4 for senior citizens. Children can attend for free.

All proceeds from the event will go towards churches of Puddletown, Tolpuddle, Milborne St Andrew, Dewlish and St Edward’s Orthodox Church.