THE COUNTDOWN is on for a day of cultural fusion to come to Eastleigh.

The Mela will be returning for its eleventh year this weekend and organisers are preparing to make it the biggest event yet.

For seven hours the town will be transformed into an explosion of colours, culture and community as thousands are expected to attend the event when it takes over landmarks across the centre for the day.

It’s a free festival organised every year by the Eastleigh Asian Welfare and Cultural Association, bringing a day of family fun, live music and entertainment, food from across the world and more.

On Sunday it will be back once again and organisers can’t wait to unite the community for the special day.

The Mela will be held predominantly in the Leigh Road Recreation Ground, which will be transformed into a hive of activity as stalls set up to host workshops, activities, shops and food.

Founder of the Mela and trustee of the Association Mohammed Mossadaq said: “I think where you have music, you have food and where you have fun things to do you will always bring the community together, everybody identifies with those things in some way and it unites us all.

“I think the Mela creates a better understanding and god knows we need that nowadays, people can relax and enjoy a day of family fun where they can come out and know that we are all quite alike really and we celebrate cultural fusion.

“It’s all about trying things as much as possible and making the most of all the different cultural experiences and celebrating them.”

The Mela is expected to attract thousands of people, with last year’s attendance reaching over 18,000.

The event is also set to attract a host of city officials with Eastleigh MP Mims Davies, Mayor of Eastleigh Des Scott and Hampshire Fire and rescue and Hampshire Constabulary all attending the event.

It’s also attracted some famous faces this year as 2012 Masterchef winner Shelina Permalloo, who recently launched her Mauritian restaurant in Southampton Lakaz Maman, will be holding cooking workshops and a Q and A session.

Performances will include the Military Wives' Choir, 515 Crew, Chirag Rao and Shama.

There will also be belly dancing, Indian classical dance, a dragon dance, Bollywood and Chinese dance, falconry display and Gatka.

The Mela has been backed this year by the BID, Eastleigh Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, Hampshire Constabulary and Yau Brothers.

Food at the event will come from all different parts of the world, with a host of Indian stalls offering delicacies from different parts of the country, to Caribbean food and artisan Indian ice cream, sweet treats and drinks on offer.

Mr Mossadaq added: “Everyone is welcome, we’re hoping the sun will be shining for us, but we want to unite everyone for a day of community fun, here will be something for everyone and it’s very exciting.”

The Mela will be held on July 24 from 11am till 6pm, to find out more about all the events taking place, visit www.awca-eastleigh.org.uk.

In the meantime - why not take a look through our pictures of Eastleigh Mela through the years by scrolling through the gallery above.