Ticket sales have been unaffected by World Cup fever and weather forecasters say there will be no repeat of last year's mudbath.

Hundreds of musicians, DJs, comedians, theatre groups and circus artists will perform at the event which has become, in its own way, as much a part of the British summer as Wimbledon and Royal Ascot.

Glastonbury 97: fun in the mud

While poor ticket sales have led to the cancellation of the rival Phoenix Festival and several other open air music events this summer, Glastonbury was sold out weeks ago.

What makes this all the more remarkable is that most of the people who bought tickets - hundreds try to jump the fence and get in free every year - did so without any idea about which artists would be appearing.

The bill for Glastonbury remains a closely-guarded secret until weeks before the festival, prompting months of feverish speculation in the music press.

Unique atmosphere

What makes Glastonbury so special is not so much the acts it attracts - Blur, Pulp, Bob Dylan and even Rolf Harris are playing this year - but the unique atmosphere.

Bob Dylan: one of this year's headliners

Even last year when rain turned the 600-acre site into a quagmire the crowd still had fun in the mud.

Many credit this to the event's founder, hippy farmer Michael Eavis, who has always said Glastonbury is about more than just making a quick buck.

At the first event in 1970 the 1,500 people who came to see acts such as Marc Bolan and Al Stewart were given free milk from Mr Eavis's cows.

Altruistic intentions

The festival has expanded over the years - it now takes over surrounding estates as well as the Eavis farm - but the ethos remains the same, even if the free milk has gone.

In contrast to other festivals, such as Reading or Phoenix, much of the action at Glastonbury is away from the main stages and tents.

Glastonbury has many mystical associations

The healing field provides a showcase for numerous therapists, meditation groups and alternative health practitioners.

What better way to unwind after dancing all night around a campfire than with a free head and neck massage?

In the green futures field there is a chance to learn about any number of practical and not so practical ideas for living in harmony with the environment. This year everone who attends the festival is being urged to sponsor a sapling to help save the world from greenhouse gases.

Glastonbury is a festival which puts its money where its mouth is. A sizeable proportion of the £80 ticket price is handed over to charities and campaigning groups.

Hundred of thousands of pounds will be shared by organisations ranging from Greenpeace and Oxfam to local school groups.

The atmosphere is enhanced by the area's mythical links. King Arthur, of Camelot fame, and Joseph of Aramathea, who is credited with bringing Christianity to Britain, are said to have passed through Glastonbury. Druids still perform ancient rituals on the nearby Glastonbury Tor.

The sounds of past and present

But these ancient connections are not the reason why the event has survived so long. Glastonbury's longevity is due to its ability to move with the times.

Roni Size: jungle act in the country

While veterans suchs as Dylan and Neil Young come back time and again many people will be thronging the increasingly popular dance tent to see cutting edge acts like Roni Size and his drum-and-bass collective Reprazent.

The festival has its own website and people can read a daily Glastonbury newspaper as they queue at what is probably the only cash dispenser in Britain located in a field.

Football fans do not need to worry about missing the World Cup as all the games are being shown on a giant screen TV.