Food, entertainment, and family fun this weekend

Newtown Food Festival returns this weekend, bringing two days of food, live entertainment and family activities to the heart of the town.

The free festival will take over the Town Hall Grounds on Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6, for its 11th annual event.

Visitors will be able to explore street-food stalls and producer stands offering everything from wood-fired pizza, artisan bread and handmade pies to Chinese dumplings, Indian dishes, Mediterranean food, chocolates, cider and locally made drinks.

The Festival Kitchen will also host a varied programme of demonstrations and tastings.

Saturday’s highlights include a coffee-tasting session with Mug Run Coffee, a barbecue demonstration by Cambrian Butchers, a Syrian feast and a workshop with Wern Farm exploring agroecological farming and seed saving.

On Sunday, visitors can watch demonstrations covering macaron making, traditional Indian cooking and sushi, while Welsh Mountain Cider will lead a tasting and talk.

There will be live music throughout the weekend, with Saturday’s programme continuing until midnight.

Local performers taking to the main stage include Montgomeryshire Youth Music, Newtown Musical Theatre Company, Newtown Male Voice Choir, Ffonic and Tommy Mills with Pedro Brown.

The evening line-up will feature Battle of the Bands winners SMTX, followed by Lucky Pierre, Built 4 Comfort and Punk Rock Jukebox.

Sunday’s entertainment includes Severnside Jazz Band, Hafren and Llanidloes Community Choirs, Newtown Silver Band and The Klezmonauts.

The programme begins on Saturday with laughter yoga at 10.15am, while Sunday starts with a Zumba session at 11am.

Families will also be able to visit the Children’s Village, which the organisers say will be packed with entertainment and activities for different ages.

The festival site includes the Main Stage, Food To Go Lawn, bar, Children’s Village, Festival Kitchen, Producers Lawn and Producers Marquee.

Admission is free, with the event supported through exhibitor income and funding from Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council and the Welsh Government.

The festival is held at the Town Hall Grounds, Newtown, Powys, SY16 2NZ. Most of the venue is accessible to wheelchairs and mobility scooters, although visitors should be aware that much of the site is grass.

The full programme, exhibitor list and festival map can be found on the Newtown Food Festival website www.newtownfoodfestival.org.uk/home and through its free mobile app.