THERE are 100 days to go until the Denbighshire Urdd Eisteddfod gets underway.

Today (February 14), at what will become the site of the Urdd Eisteddfod at Kilford Farm, Denbigh, a turf-cutting event was held to mark 100 days to go until the national festival.

The Urdd Eisteddfod, the biggest festival of its kind in Europe, attracts up to 90,000 competitors, supporters and visitors every year and the same numbers are expected to make their way to Denbighshire this year.

The Eisteddfod itself will be held from May 25-30.

The youth show will be on May 23, the official Eisteddfod opening concert is on May 24 and the primary show will be on May 26.

The stage shows, featuring children and young people from all over the county, are original shows written by two well-known names in Denbighshire - Mali Williams and Angharad Llwyd Beech.

Tickets for the stage shows go on sale today (February 14) on the Urdd website - urdd.cymru - or by calling 0845 257 1639.

Additional performances of the youth show, held at Theatr Elwy, Ysgol Glan Clwyd, St Asaph, will be held on May 2 and 3, as well as the performance on the 23rd.

The opening concert will feature some of Wales’ biggest names alongside local Denbighshire talent.

The line-up includes Blodau Papur; Rhydian Jenkins, the winner of last year’s Bryn Terfel Urdd Scholarship; singer Mared Williams, who also sings the official Eisteddfod song this year and singer Celyn Cartwright.

S4C’s Trystan Ellis-Morris will present the evening.

More headliners will be announced nearer to the event.

The Eisteddfod week itself will see 15,000 children and young people taking part in competitions ranging from singing, acting and dance to art, cooking and creating apps.

As well as the competing, there will be activities such as sports sessions, a climbing wall, children’s shows, live music and more than 80 stalls on the Maes.

Leader of Denbighshire County Council Cllr Hugh Evans said: “The Eisteddfod last visited Denbighshire in 2006 when it was held on land at Ysgol Brynhyfryd.

“That Eisteddfod was a tremendous success and provided a great opportunity for children and young people to benefit from Wales’ largest youth festival, as will this year’s Eisteddfod.

"There was a lot of enthusiasm locally, with communities working together to raise funds and to arrange a wide range of events to promote the Welsh language and culture locally.

“The support for this year’s event has been tremendous and we are looking forward to continue working with the Urdd over the coming months to make 2020’s Eisteddfod one to remember. We’re also looking forward to welcoming Wales to Denbighshire.”

Sian Eirian, director of the Urdd Eisteddfod, added: “After two slightly different Eisteddfodau, one at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells and a city Eisteddfod in Cardiff last year, the Eisteddfod returns to a more traditional Maes, on farming land with the Clwydian Range as a stunning backdrop.

“There’s much anticipation and a lot of preparation and it’s great to see how much incredible work is going on across the whole county.

"Committees, schools, clubs and organisations have been and are continuing to work hard to ensure that the Denbighshire Eisteddfod is an eisteddfod to remember!”

Pupils from Ysgol Frongoch, Denbigh High School and Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn will join officials from Denbighshire County Council and the Eisteddfod to cut the turf.

In the evening, S4C’s Heno programme features interviews and a performance by Ysgol Pen Barras Choir, live from Denbigh Library, which will change its outside lights to red, white and green to reflect the colours of the Urdd. Other locations in the county will also be lit in red, white and green as the big week approaches.