When Falkirk council announced it was to launch an arts festival in 2000, few expected more than the usual mix of crusty folk musicians, children's puppet shows and that samba band who haven't put down their drums since 1992.

But Big in Falkirk is anything but the typical small-town festival. Among Scottish festivals outside Edinburgh, it is unique. Located in the sprawling 180-acre Callendar Park, it attracts crowds of 100,000 from all over Scotland and the north of England for what is a heady mix of colourful outdoor theatre, spectacular pyrotechnics, art, comedy and a curious but clever mishmash of music acts, some of whom are well known, others who are still only big in Falkirk.

“On one level you have a real sense of what's going on in Falkirk locally and on the other we have leading national artists like 10CC and the Levellers,” says Neil Butler, the director of Big in Falkirk. “This year, for example, we're putting on local indie pop singer Ross Fairweather, who we've been watching for years and who will be really successful.”

For the second year the festival will incorporate a visual art programme. The Environmental Art Project, curated by the installation artist Guyan Porter, has been designed specially for Callendar Park. Students from the environmental art course at the Glasgow School of Art will build installations in the forest park and around a section of the historic Antonine Wall.

This, though, is just the calm before the storm. The festival closes on Sunday night with the world premiere of Full Circle, a new show by the pyrotechnicians The World Famous. In what promises to be a visual feast that Jean Michel Jarre would be proud of, Slovenian musicians Terrafolk will perform in specially designed pods while fire, fireworks and special effects light up the night sky behind Callendar House.

“It's the sort of show that Falkirk does very well,” says Butler. “The performers are some of the best at what they do in the world, so it's very challenging and exciting to watch, but it's also something that can be enjoyed by the whole family.”

Pyrotechnics are a bit of theme. In Bollywood Steps, however, they have to compete with a wet sari scene, high-speed costume changes and a giddy, wedding-scene denouement.

“Bollywood Steps is one of the most uplifting shows you will see,” says Butler. “It has all the elements of Bollywood - the very attractive couple, the wonderful music and brilliant dance routines - and even if you've never seen a Bollywood film I defy you not to be completely taken with it.”

Putting together the programme for Big in Falkirk, with its strong international flavour, is no easy task.

“We start work on the festival more or less the minute the last festival is put to bed,” says Butler. “So as soon as it's over on Sunday night it's back to the drawing board for us.”

Such dedication has made Big in Falkirk famous far beyond its environs.

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