A COLOURFUL parade and a World War Two re-enactment are among the events taking place in Gwent this weekend but the rain has put a stop to the Machen Agricultural Show for the first time in more than 70 years.

“Maindee 2012” is the theme of this year’s Maindee Festival which will take place on Saturday and celebrate London 2012.

A parade of colourful costumes, giant figures and lively bands will leave Newport Rugby Club at 12pm making its way along Corporation Road and arriving at the festival site at Maindee Primary School at 1pm.

The festival will celebrate arts, culture and different communities and will include stalls, refreshments and entertainment.

A 1940s weekend in Blaenavon will include “Defence of Blaenavon” which will see a mock battle held at Blaenavon Ironworks.

The event has been organised by Cadw and South Wales Borderers WWII re-enactment group.

Admission is free for the event which will be held from 10am until 4.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

It is not just the Ironworks which will be going back to the 1940s as the whole town joins in the celebration.

Visitors can ride a 1940s steam engine at Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway and see a display of military vehicles among other activities. Children travelling on the train will also be given a free wartime ration of sweets.

But the weather has put a stop to one of this weekend’s events.

The 71st Machen Agricultural show, which was due to be held on Saturday, has had to be cancelled due to health and safety reasons after fields have been left waterlogged because of the rain.

President of the Machen Agricultural Show, Roland John said: "It is very disappointing but we had no choice. Health and safety is the most important thing."

It is not known yet whether the show will be held at a later date