A DAY of bands, burgers and a Battle of Britain fly-past will take place along the banks of the Usk in Newport this Saturday, August 23, as part of a Nato-themed celebration ahead of next month's official summit.

The Red Devils are even due to sky-dive onto the pitch at Rodney Parade and present the match ball to the referee on Saturday for County's game against Burton Albion.

Starting at 10.30am on Saturday in the city centre, the Household Cavalry Band will march and play music before the day's opening ceremony takes place near the Wave. From 11.30am to 4.30pm there will be a food festival, give visitors a taste of the cuisine of the Alliance’s 28 nations along the banks of the Usk.

On offer will be reindeer burgers from Iceland, waffles from Belgium, smorgasbord from Denmark and paella from Spain, alongside Welsh cheese from Ceredigion and locally brewed liquor.

At Rodney Parade at 2.50pm the Red Devils are due to perform their impressive aerial acrobatics before the Household Cavalry band play at 3.45pm.

The events are organised by the UK Government and Newport council.

Four bands will entertain the crowd near the river alongside face painting, climbing walls and the army’s inflatable assault course challenge.

Serving soldiers, including 160 (Wales) Brigade, will be demonstrate military vehicles and equipment, and army chefs will be cooking up the meals they serve to troops on the frontline, which visitors can try.

A Battle of Britain fly-past over the city will close the day’s celebrations at 7.30pm.

Councillor Ray Truman, deputy leader of Newport council, said the day promises to be "an exciting mix of spectacle and entertainment" while Secretary of State for Wales, Stephen Crabb said the host city celebrations will mark this "historic" summit and showcase "our proud host city".

"There are now less than three weeks to go until the global spotlight focuses on Newport as it hosts the Nato Summit," he said.

"The festival will give people a chance to sample the food of the countries attending the summit and there's a great line up of activities for people of all ages. I'm really looking forward to attending and I would encourage people to come along for a fun day out ahead of the Nato Summit."

Next Friday, August 29, a peace camp will begin at Tredegar Park; on August 30 protestors are due to congregate outside the Civic Centre from 1pm in a pro-Gaza rally ending in Westage Square.

The protestors argue that 2,000 Palestinians have died as a result of supplies from the US and its Nato allies.

A counter-summit is due to start in Cardiff the following day and peaceful marches through Newport city centre on September 4, when the official Nato Summit starts at Celtic Manor.

Significant traffic disruption has been predicted along the M4 corridor by Gwent Police on September 4 and 5.