A very successful Cardigan River and Food Festival took place on Saturday, 17th August. Julian Beynon-Lewis, CEO of Menter Aberteifi Cyf. and main organiser of the Festival said,
“We would like to thank everyone who came to support us at the Cardigan River and Food Festival, in this our 24th year. The weather was kind to us, against all the odds this Summer, with overcast skies and sunny intervals but importantly, no wind or rain ! Over 100 exhibitors were present and we had plenty of Welsh Food and Drink and locally made Crafts on offer for the around 7,000 visitors to the event, making it the second largest Festival yet.”
“Huge thanks to all our many exhibitors, our demonstrators: Mandy Walters and Orinda Roberts, and all our local suppliers and our funders, Cardigan Town Council, Ceredigion County Council & The Welsh Government – Food and Drink Wales, for their financial support.”
Local performers Sharron Wooley’s Bara Brith Country Band, Kirilee Lynne Dermott-Williams, Dreams Dance School, Backtrax Wales, Hari Llewelyn, and JBL Disco, entertained the crowds through the day.
All but one of the above exhibitors, entertainers and suppliers are Welsh based businesses, and the majority from the local area, supporting the circular economy and keeping the money going around in Wales.
“Demand for stalls and pitches was high this year and we turned away more than a dozen, because we ran out of room. Many of the stalls sold out completely, so we can say that it was successful day.”
The Mayor of Cardigan, Cllr. Olwen Davies was thanked for opening the Festival and judging the awards; and the organisers offered congratulations to Manucca, Afal Y Graig, Bee Welsh Honey, and The Pembrokeshire Soap Co, who were award winners on the day.
Julian said,
“A huge thank you must go out to all our staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly, for very long hours to make the day a success, we couldn’t have done it without you. Each year we try to learn from the last one and try to improve the Festival and it’s been a long way back from the Covid enforced break, but we are now getting back to where we should be. We’ll be back in 2025 promoting Welsh Food and Drink and supporting local businesses.”
