The biggest festival in England is now well under way, following its successful launch on Saturday with the children's parade.

There is a buzz in the Brighton air with this festival. It has a new director, Nick Dodds, who has wisely decided to build on its strengths, such as dance.

The revitalised Dome is open for the first time in several years as the main venue for classical concerts and many other forms of entertainment.

These improvements also mean events can be held simultaneously in the Corn Exchange and Pavilion Theatre without sound seeping from one venue to another.

As a bonus, the new Brighton Museum has opened, far more inviting, attractive and intriguing than the old one.

The festival should have something for everyone. There will be strange theatre events attended by only a few. Thousands will go to outdoor spectaculars.

Some of them will flop. Others will see the emergence of new talents to follow stars such as Jack Dee and Julian Clary who owe some of their success to early appearances in Brighton.

There are more artists than ever opening their homes to the public and if people are not interested in the arts, there are attractions such as the Dieppe Market.

The festival will be fun. It's also a big boost for Brighton and Hove, showing it can put on a show like no other resort or city in the country.