One of Brighton and Hove’s longest- running festivals is to celebrate its 28th consecutive year with a new venue and an extended programme over two weekends.

The Brunswick Festival began 27 years ago as a low-key, locally-organised picnic, but this year the event will see an extra day’s worth of activities take place in St Ann’s Well Gardens as well as the usual fun in Brunswick Square.

“It’s just a very laid-back weekend, and we really like to see people coming together and getting to know one another,” says organiser Veronica Stephens of the community event.

“The whole festival is run entirely by volunteers. People often think it is a council run event, but really it’s just a handful of us in our spare time – and that’s what makes it really special.”

The festival opens in St Ann’s Well Gardens with Rural Day, which brings the countryside to the city.

Along with a selection of products from organic farmers, craft stalls and activities for children, Rural Day features the Scruffs Dog show with categories such as Waggiest Tail and Dog The Judge Would Most Like To Take Home.

Later in the day dogs and their owners can take part in a relay and there will be a cake and sausage race.

The following Saturday and Sunday, Brunswick Square hosts a lazy weekend of live music in the square. A street theatre will perform and there will be a chance to catch a show of circus skills. Arts, crafts and world-food stalls will be open and a beer tent will be serving drinks.

The Morning Orchestra will be among those playing live music over the weekend, before Brighton-based ska favourites Los Albertos close the festival on Sunday night.

More than 5,000 people turned up last year and, weather permitting, that may well be doubled this year.

*From noon each day. Email brunswick festival@hotmail.com for more details.