Food festival set to draw big crowds
The fifth annual Newtown Food Festival is set to bring big crowds and big money into the local economy yet again this weekend.
The event was began back in 2013 and has grown from just a few stalls to an event that brings in traders and customers from all over Wales and into the West Midlands.
Run by a committee in partnership with the town council, the event will begin at 10am on Saturday and offer a whole host of stands with over 60 producers and exhibitors.
Newtown Mayor Sue Newham has seen the event grow over the years and admitted she could not have envisaged how much it has grown and how much it benefits the town.
She said: "It brings in so many people now and a lot of money into our local economy.
"When we started we had a few local producers, but now it has grown so much we have producers from across Powys but some travel from far to come here, as to cuustomers.
"It brings people from outside the town who would never have a reason to come to Newtown, and it brings such benefit to the area."
It isn't just the food stalls and exhibitors on offer this Saturday.
Newtown's twin town Les Herbiers are joining the event for a fourth year, with a fine selection of Vendee food and wine on sale in 'The French Village.'
The Festival Kitchen will also feature returning chefs Turon Miah and Roger Stevens and new chefs James Sherwin and James Corbett.
Children's activities are running throughout the day, with further food demonstrations from the Gulshan Restaurant and Turon Miah, however only a limited number of tickets available.
A number of bands including The Smile and Roma Pomona will be performing in the event with a bar and food available.
In the coming year the festival committee has plans to go solo to run future events, with funding from the town council.
Mayor councillor Newham has paid tribute to the work done by the volunteers to put the festival on and said it could not be done without them.
She said: "There is work done by the town council in terms of admin, staff time and councillor time.
"But this event just wouldn't happen without the work of volunteers.
"The work for the community and I can only commend them for the work they do.
"This year they are looking to move forward as a committee on their own, still with town council putting funds towards it, so they can run the festival in future years."
Full details of the music programme and all the events at this year’s festival are available at www.facebook.com/newtownfoodfest
