DATES for the 2023 version of a popular Denbighshire event have been released.

Ruthin Festival, which returned last summer after a three-year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will take place this year between June 24 and July 2.

The week will culminate with the Top of Town event on St Peter's Square on Saturday, July 1.

Ruthin Festival will also include events such as the town carnival and a drama production at Nantclwyd y Dref, which have been mainstays of the festival for many years, but this time there will be a range of new events to appeal to new audiences.

Numerous events are being planned across many venues in the town organised by a number of local organisations and the details will be on the festival’s social media pages and website - www.gwylrhuthunfest.cymru - in the next few weeks.

The bands that will be headlining the Top of Town event will be announced on Welsh Music Day on February 10, with the other bands and artists to follow in the weeks after that.

"We are very much looking forward to a great festival week once again and the committee of volunteers have been working very hard following a successful festival in 2022," said Ruthin Festival chair Gwion Tomos.

"We are very glad to hold the entry price to the Top of Town at the same price since 2017, which is a £5 donation per adult with children for free.

"Everyone giving the entry fee ensures that the festival returns the following year."

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The first Ruthin Festival was held in 1994, and then in 1996, while it has happened annually ever since.

Although none of the present committee were part of the organising team when the event started, many of the original members continue to volunteer during the festival week.

The organising committee of the festival now and in the past is made up of non-paid volunteers from the local area.

"The festival, hopefully, will bring a much-needed boost once again to the town’s hospitality businesses, many of whom will have events, and with music in the town’s pubs following the Top of Town event," added Ruthin Festival vice-chair Jim Bryan.

"We still need more volunteers to help us for the Top of Town event in particular, so if anyone is able to even give two hours of their time on the day, it would really be appreciated."

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For the Top of Town event on July 1, people are reminded that a glass ban will be in effect on St Peter's Square on the day and everyone attending should be mindful how much alcohol they take to the site.

In any case, the festival bar will be located at the top of Market Street with every penny going towards future festivals.

Furthermore, the festival will not be providing chairs at the Top of Town event this year so people are advised to take along their own chairs if they wish.

For more information about the festival or how to volunteer, people can email gwylrhuthun-ruthinfestival@hotmail.co.uk