June may mean the wind down of celebrations for the Hay Literary Festival but for those who know and love Hay on Wye, Saturday 30th June will mark the sixth successful year of the Hay Food Festival.
From 10am onwards, over 45 local food producers will transform the Memorial Car Park in Hay into a dazzling al-fresco marketplace bursting with Welsh flavour. This annual event will delight hundreds of visitors and residents with a showcase of Welsh and English treats.
Enthusiast foodies can choose to sample a little bit of everything, or tuck into their favourite foods; and if eating proves to be thirsty work, there are plenty of cafes around where they can take a break.
Throughout the day, there will be fantastic entertainment on offer with Welsh song and street theatre, including performances from Welsh harpist Sian Phillips, Llanigon School Choir, Hay School Choir, Rhosgoch School Choir, Clyro School Choir and Fynnon Gynnydd School Choir. Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority staff will also be organising fun activities for children as well as handing out information about other exciting events taking place throughout the year.
Andrew Powell, Catering Manager for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and organiser of the event said: “We get thousands of visitors to the Hay Food Festival and currently we have 45 local food producers who have committed themselves to attend. There has also been a substantial increase in interest from other locally based suppliers throughout Wales and the Marches – with 20 food companies on a reserve list!
“The commitment from our farmers and food suppliers to provide excellent quality, locally sourced produce is so encouraging that Hay Food Festival just goes from strength to strength each year.”
Mrs Mary Taylor, Chairman for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “Since its inception in 2001 Hay Food Festival has become a popular event in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, and a place where visitors can come and experience a feast for all senses.
“There are lots of reasons to buy local food wherever possible and we are so pleased that residents and visitors to the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park are making concerned decisions on where they source their food which we hope will encourage others to challenge the impact that food mileage has on our environment.”
Other diary dates for food enthusiasts include the Picnic in the Park and National Park Open Day (6th-7th June) held at the National Park Visitor Centre; Bannau Brycheiniog Summer Fayre held during the August Bank Holiday weekend (25th -27th August) and the Bannau Brycheiniog Food Festival on 6th October held at the Brecon Market Hall– a must for all food lovers!