Caernarfon Food Festival
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| Caernarfon Food Festival | |
|---|---|
| File:Caernarfon Food Festival logo.jpeg | |
| Dates | May |
| Location(s) | Caernarfon |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founders | Caernarfon Food Festival Group |
| Attendance | 44,000 |
| Website | http://www.gwylfwydcaernarfon.cymru/home.php |
Caernarfon Food Festival is an annual food festival held during May in Caernarfon.
Overview
The festival is notable for being a major event in the town of Caernarfon and has attracted up to 44,000 visitors and 150 stalls in 2019. [1].
Entry to the festival is free. The festival takes place in the town's streets and other areas, including The Slate Quay (Cei Llechi) and Castle Square (the Maes), which is the town's historic square next to Caernarfon Castle and which is pedestrianised for the event (other than for resident's access and taxis). Stalls are also located along the promenade next to the Menai Strait towards the marina and Doc Fictoria.[2]
Focus
The festival has set out a number of aims and principles, which include reflecting the character and culture of Caernarfon, celebrating local food, entertaining and informing the public, working in partnership with educational establishments, supporting local food businesses, promoting the issue of food waste and raising awareness of healthy eating.[3] Supporting activities have included music on three stages, comprising a main music stage located at Doc Fictoria and other stages elsewhere, including a folk stage and choir stage. [2]
The agricultural college, craft workshops and educational facilities of Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor located at Glynllifon have provided demonstrations and advice with the college's foresters, equine staff and students participating. Events have included sheep shearing demonstrations, dog training displays, demonstrations of forestry crafts, including the making of bird boxes, and tips on common equine injuries. A livestock enclosure with various domestic animals on view has also been provided. [4]
The event was highly commended in the Food Awards Wales, 2019. [5] On commenting on this festival and others, the Managing director of North Wales Tourism said the increase in food tourism has helped create "a golden age for the visitor economy in North Wales" with the events having a positive effect on local tourism, the economy and community. According to Ken Skates: "Food tourism is something I believe has huge potential for future growth and it is no wonder that North Wales has been hailed as one of the world's top four must-see places to go by The Lonely Planet travel guide."[6]
Structure and support
The festival was formed in 2015 as a result of public consultation within the town. The first festival was held in 2016. It is organised by Caernarfon Food Festival Group which is made up of local volunteers who hold regular meetings to plan each festival. The festival has a number of supporting groups, including a content group, sponsorship group, technical group, communication group and volunteer group. These groups feed into the main group's monthly meetings. The festival logo was inspired by contributions from pupils at Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, and designed by Iestyn Lloyd of Cwmni Da. [3][7]
Following Gwynedd County Council's 'Gwynedd Plan 2018-2023' the council made the theme 'Increasing the Benefits from Major Events' a priority in the county and in 2019 funded the festival from the council's Transformational Fund so that the event could help support the council's following priorities: create opportunities for local businesses to take advantage of contracts and supply services, increase opportunities for Gwynedd communities and young people to contribute towards the success of events, help give a central place for the language, culture and unique sense of place of Gwynedd, help create a co-operative relationship with Welsh Government's Major Events Unit, raise Gwynedd's profile as a vibrant place and a good place to live, and increase the number, expenditure and visitors' stay throughout the year.[8].
The festival has been supported by Welsh Government through the Food Festival Grant Scheme.The festival has also raised funds through JustGiving.[9]
Access
Car parking is provided at the Slate Quay (Cei Llechi) and at other car parks around the town, where charges apply. The festival encourages the use of public transport or car-share. The Welsh Highland Railway provides transport from Porthmadog. [2]
Access can also be made along one of the cycle tracks along the disused railway lines which include Lôn Las Eifion, which runs from Porthmadog, by-passing Penygroes, and on to Caernarfon, Lôn Las Menai from Felinheli to Caernarfon and Lôn Las Peris from Llanberis to Caernarfon. [3]
References
- ^ "Daily Post, What's On". 12 May 2019.
- ^ a b c "Daily Post, What's On". 10 May 2018.
- ^ a b c "Gwyl Fwyd Caernarfon".
- ^ "Coleg Meirion Dwyfor Glynllifon news".
- ^ "Swshi, Gwyl Fwyd Caernarfon".
- ^ "Daily Post, Business News". 22 May 2019.
- ^ "My Llandudno, Caernarfon Food Festival".
- ^ "Democracy Gwynedd". 21 March 2019.
- ^ "Just Giving, Gwyl Fwyd Caernarfon".