MORE than 5,000 music fans are expected to attend a two day rock festival in Ebbw Vale at the weekend.

The third Welsh International Classic Rock Festival, which is the UK's highest outdoor music festival takes place at Hafod-Y-Dafal Farm in Cwm over two days.

The South Wales Argus is an official media partner for Planet Rock's Steelhouse Festival 2013.

Acts to take to the stage include Headliners Saxon and former Scorpions and UFO guitar hero Michael Schenker, FM, Anvil, Magnum, Snakecharmer, The Temperance Movement and Fireroad.

Event organiser Matt Rhead, said: "Seeing some of the artists that I grew up listening to playing on the mountaintop above my home town is genuinely a dream come true. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing Mickey Moody performing classic Whitesnake songs. It's going to be a very special weekend".

The site opens for campers at 5pm on July 26 and between 11am and 11pm on July 27 and 28.

Day tickets (Saturday or Sunday) are available at £40, weekend tickets at £65 with onsite parking £10. For details visit www.steelhousefestival.com Thousands of people are expected to visit the South Wales Shire Horse and Miniature Ponies Show in Abergavenny tomorrow.

The event, which is popular with horse fans and families, is held in Bailey Park and now in its 31st year.

Attractions include a classic and vintage car show, Punch and Judy, stalls and a grand parade of shire and miniature horses in the main ring.

The show, which starts at 10am, will also feature the Shire horse qualifier for the Horse of the Year show 2013.

Entry is free to children under five, children over 5 and senior citizens are £3 and adults £5. Parking is free.

Blaenavon's Big Pit will be staging its 30th anniversay gala tomorrow between 11am and 4pm.

Blaenavon Town Band and the Young Persons with Dementia Choir will perform. Activities will include a climbing wall, go-karting, Blaenavon Mini Rugby, Lovespoon carving and Clog making demonstrations.

Blaenau Gwent Radio Roadshow will be broadcasting live from Big Pit during the day and there will also be appearances from very special guests Peppa and George Pig.

Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway will be offering free travel on their branch line to and from Big Pit.

And Monmouth carnival will be held on Sunday starting at 2pm at Priory Street.

More than 80,000 people are also expected to attend the weekend's Big Cheese festival in Caerphilly - beginning tonight with the Great Cheese Race, and Caldicot Castle will welcome displays by Roman gladiators.