ON SATURDAY, May 11, Caernarfon Food Festival returns for its seventh year, with more on offer than ever before.

In addition to the food and drink stalls, crafts, and three music stages, this year’s festival will also see two new areas: the Seafood Village, and a special family-friendly area in Caernarfon’s Parc Coed Helen.

“We’re very excited about the two new areas,” said Nici Beech, chair of the Caernarfon Food Festival Committee.

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“More and more families come every year, so it was a natural step forward for us to develop this family-friendly area in Parc Coed Helen, just across the water, following a successful event there last September.

 “We have relocated the Coleg Glynllifon animal pens there, as well as many food and drink stalls, and there will be entertainment all day with staff from the Urdd and Byw’n Iach.

“Furthermore, there will be arts and crafts and live music including appearances from Gruff and Cati from S4C’s Cyw!”

In order to bring this vision to life, Gŵyl Fwyd Caernarfon has collaborated with artist Iestyn Tyne, who has created an artist’s impression of the family-friendly area of the festival.

The new Seafood Village will be located at Cei Llechi, organised in partnership with Bangor University’s School of Ocean Sciences.  

“Seeing as we’re on the shores of the Menai Strait, a seafood village seems the perfect addition to this year’s festival,” Nici added.

“The village will include live cooking demonstrations and a whole host of interesting activities about the sea, including interactive arts and music.”

With more 180 food and drink stalls this year, there will be something to everyone’s taste. 

“We’re delighted to have a stall at Gŵyl Fwyd Caernarfon,” added Margaret Ogunbanwo, owner of Maggie’s African Twist.

“There is always a fantastic atmosphere in the town on the day of the festival, and it’s a great opportunity, not only to sell a lot of produce, but to reach new audiences.”

The free festival, organised entirely by volunteers, is also known for its music offering.

This year, some of Wales’ most popular artists will take to the stage including Bob Delyn a’r Ebillion and Mei Gwynedd a Band Tŷ Potas.

There will also be plenty of artists from the area in the mix, such as Magi and Geraint Løvgreen a’r Band.

Up to 10 choirs will also perform on the day.

 “Sustainability is one of our core values as a festival,” added Nici.

“So, the reusable cups will be back this year.

“We’re also encouraging people to walk or cycle here, or to catch a bus into town, and we’re very grateful to the many bus companies who put on more buses than usual on the day.”

The festival costs an estimated £50,000 annually, and last year, 35,000 people came to Caernarfon for the big day.

“If every visitor gave £3, that would almost be enough to fund the entire festival,” said Nici, reminding that volunteers will be making collections on the day.

You can donate cash in buckets, or directly via PayPal on the day, or at any time throughout the year.

The festival will run from 10am until 5pm on May 11.