BALA will host its first ever Food and Drink Festival later this year.

The event, set up by Bala and Penllyn Rotary Club, is scheduled to take place throughout the town between 12 and 6pm on June 27.

Entry will be free, but the Rotary says donations to its chosen charities and organisations will be “greatly appreciated”.

Bala and Penllyn Rotary Club president Paul Dale said: “The main aim of our new Food Festival is to increase trade for all businesses in the Town and we have tried to involve everyone from hotels to shops and pubs.

“In turn, we hope it will also help support the Rotary’s funding, as we support a number of organisations. Locally, funding received has helped sponsor schools, playgroups and more.

“Our national chosen charity for this year is Young Minds.”

Bala’s first ever food festival follows on from a similar inaugural event held in the nearby town of Corwen last year.

In Bala, there will be a variety of stalls offering all types of food and also cookery demonstrations from local chefs.

The event will also include music and entertainment and a ‘Beer Trail’, which will run from midday.

Guests will have the opportunity to paint pots at Capel Clay, join in with soft play at The Hwb and also go canoeing on the lake with the Bala Adventure and Watersports Centre

For those who wish to extend their stay, there will be an evening of entertainment with a licensed bar provided by local businesses in the Sports Pavilion (6pm until 11pm)

Bala and Penllyn Rotary president Paul Dale added; "We hope that funds raised through the Food Fesitval can help traders bring the Christmas lights back to the town, after they became defunct in 2019. That would certainly help make the town more enjoyable.

"We have also received a grant from Adra to support our residents and ensure that this is an event to remember. If it proves to be a success, then we may extend it to a full weekend next year."

Bala Town Mayor Eifion Roberts added: "We are very grateful for the Bala and Penllyn Rotary Club for organising Bala Food Festival - the first of its kind in this town.

"We hope it will be a very successful event that will highlight all that the businesses of this town have to offer and bring many, many people to the area."

For further information, contact 01678 530771.