THE Gŵyl Rhuthun Festival drew huge crowds for nine days straight as the event culminated in the popular Top of Town on the weekend.

The event saw the Illyria Production Company put on a Shakespeare production, held on the first night.

Events at the Resource Scrapstore such as Working on Wellbeing proved popular, with other activities such as a DIY recycled lantern workshop and a crafty crown activity.

Later on in the week, a repair café, Ruthin Market, a Picturehaus Film Night, and a Welsh Poetry Stomp were all held, building up excitement for the Top of Town main event.

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The famous 'Top of Town' event is enjoyed by thousands each year.

A celebration of culture, music and friendship held between two stages at the heart of Ruthin's St Peter's Square, the atmosphere was electric and the spectacular event included a bar and children’s areas.

This year’s performers at the Top of Town were Cerdd Cydweithredol Sir Ddinbych, Aelwyd Dyffryn Clwyd, Rogers Academy of Irish Dance, Welsh Whisperer, Cor Nantclwyd, and Rogers Academy of Irish Dance.

Other headline acts included Dyffryn Divas, Meibion Marchan, Amazing Clouds, Wee Bag Band, Ambrose Band, Candelas ac Alys Williams, and Yws Gwynedd a’r Band.

Gwion Tomos, chairperson of the Ruthin Festival Committee, said: “On behalf of the festival committee, I would like to thank everyone who has made this year’s nine-day event such a success.

“We have had concerts, a poetry session, a carnival, local gigs, history talk, and a Shakespeare production, and we would like to thank everyone that took part in these events.

“The highlight of the week as always was the Top of Town last Saturday where we had great performances from Yws Gwynedd, Candelas, Alys Williams, Wee Bag Band, the Welsh Whisperer, Aelwyd Dyffryn Clwyd, local schools and choirs and many others - we would like to thank them very much for entertaining the crowd.

"We would like to thank all the suppliers of services for the event, and all the hardworking volunteers who help make the event possible.

“It was great to see so many people on the Top of Town – we must state however that the festival is organised by a committee of volunteers and not a public authority, and would like to remind people again that people paying the entry fee on the gates the Top of Town would not happen, and ensures the event returns next year.

“We would like to thank Ruthin Town Council, LE Jones, IT Williams and JT Williams for their continued support as well as sponsors and partners such as KMT, Swayne Johnson, Cavendish Ikin Tesco, Co-op, Swayne Johnson, Henllys, and many others for supporting the festival.

“We are especially grateful also to the Gamlins Solicitors for the use of their premises on the day of Top of Town, as well as the Wine Vaults, the Boars Head, Corporation Arms, Park Place, and Feathers Bar for supporting the festival as always.

“We also must thank various staff at departments at Denbighshire County Council for their assistance including streetworks, licensing and the depot at Lon Parcwr in particular, and of course North Wales Police for their co-operation and advice over the past few months during the work of organising the Top of Town event.

“We hope that everyone had a good day on the Top of Town and enjoyed the whole festival week, and we hope to see everyone again in 2024 to celebrate 30 years of the festival, and June 29 2024 for the next Top of Town.”