Thousands flock to Aberdare Festival?
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council welcomed an impressive 8,500 plus people to beautiful Aberdare Park at the weekend, as the ever-popular Aberdare Festival returned – and brought the sunshine with it! See all the pictures on our Facebook page
People of all ages travelled to the park to enjoy sports, games, live music, donkey rides, a fairground, animal shows, mad science – and even a realistic dinosaur and a high-fiving giraffe!
As well as the chance for the whole family to enjoy a great day out, the festival was also organised to celebrate all that Aberdare has to offer and showcase surrounding attractions to visitors.
And celebrate people did, with thousands of people flocking to the park. There was a junior roller skating rink, soft play for the under fives, zorbs, a gyro wheel, donkey rides and, of course, the ever-popular funfair.
An eclectic musical background was enjoyed, thanks to tribute acts Only One Direction, Beeyonce, In the Mix (Little Mix tribute), Like Olly (Murs) and Living on a Prayer, which had the crowd rocking to Bon Jovi classics. The musical treat ended with award-winning Lady Gaga tribute and impersonator Donna Marie.
Also in the park, which has recently enjoyed an extensive refurbishment of its play area thanks to the £200m RCT Invest, were farm animals such as goats, horses, sheeps, small mammals and chickens and the more exotic meerkats, birds of prey and creepy crawlies.
Surprise appearances were made by family favourite film characters including a princess and robots and the unusual realistic dinosaur and giraffe (complete with Zoo Keeper) who were followed by queue of children (and big kids!) keen to get a photo and a high five!
The Tour of Britain mascot also made a wheely-popular visit to the park, ahead of the prestigious cycle event, which is set to set to start its fifth stage from Aberdare Park on September 8, welcoming some of the UK’s top cyclists to the park.
The event was also a chance to support local businesses, which provided food and drink, arts and crafts and gift stalls, and encourage visitors to the historic town centre with its range of shops and places to eat and drink.
People were also able to pick up useful information on important Council services, such as recycling and waste management, litter, future events for the family, tourism and ideas of other places to visit in RCT, becoming a Foster Carer and healthy eating.
Cllr Maureen Webber, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Council Business and Human Resources, said: “Aberdare Festival continues to be a success year on year, benefitting residents and local businesses alike by offering a popular event which provides something for everyone to enjoy, as well as a chance to promote and support this lovely town centre and its surroundings.
“We were blessed with lovely weather and were pleased to welcome 8,000 people of all ages to the park to celebrate Aberdare Festival with us.
“This was a chance to celebrate the park, the town and all that it offers and it was particularly good to welcome the Tour of Britain mascot ahead of the arrival of the world-famous race to Aberdare and Aberdare Park in September.
“Being invited to act as the launch location for such a prestigious event, which will be watched all over the world, is testament to the hard work we put into promoting Aberdare and all it has to offer as a destination, using events such as Aberdare Festival.
“Don’t worry if you were unable to join us for the celebration in Aberdare Park, there are still loads of fun family events on their way to RCT in the summer, including Yaberdaberdare on June 11 and the Big Welsh Bite in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, home of Lido Ponty, the National Lido of Wales, on the first weekend of August.
“Get all the latest news and events at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/events.”
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