So what is organiser Ian Parmiter looking forward to most?
'Monday!' he joked.

The owner of Parmiter's Antiques -opposite the Kings Theatre - and member of veteran Portsmouth band Emptifish, says it's been hard work organising the event, but it's been well worth it and he's managed to keep a sense of humour.

'We're trying to do all this on top of our full-time jobs and it's a real challenge,' says Ian.

He says that, after last year's event which was somewhat impromptu but still attracted an estimated 20,000 visitors, Albert Road traders have put their heads together and come up with a really special event for this year.

Says Ian: 'We wanted to create something new and exciting to promote our street and give something back to the community. The idea behind the event is to showcase the diversity of talent, culture and people in Albert Road.

Added organiser Ben Miles: 'We've got two stages with 20 bands confirmed, from Southsea ska act The Racketeers, to tongue-in-cheek tribute band The Bog Rolling Stones. One of the organisers is Geoff Priestley of the Wedgewood Rooms.

'We're not just trying to promote the street, we're trying to create a sense of community, and it's working.
'It's buzzing down here. Everybody's talking about it.'

The entertainment starts at 10am and will stretch the length of Albert Road from Festing Road all the way along to Victoria Road. The event will wind up about 4pm.

For more information, go to www.lovealbertroad.co.uk and www.myspace.com/albertroadsouthsea