Carnival To Return To Pontypool Park

The Pontypool Carnival will return to Pontypool Park on Saturday 9 July 2016 under the new name, Pontypool Party in the Park. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This year the event will celebrate the start of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics and Paralympics, and will encourage people to get involved in activities that capture the flavour of the global event. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Events and activities are still being finalised, however, as well as the sporting theme there will be stalls, live music and entertainment, and the return of the popular fun fair. Pontypool Party in the Park will also see the return of the parade, which will also tie into the Rio Olympic theme and take place in the park itself. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

For the first time, the Pontypool Event Committee has partnered with Torfaen Leisure Trust, Bron Afon Community Housing and Melin Homes to help deliver the event. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Bryn Parker, chair of Pontypool Community Council and Pontypool Event Committee, said: “We tried a new format last year that aimed to engage with the town’s traders and bring more people into the town centre. While people enjoyed the individual elements of the event, it was clear from the feedback that people wanted to see the event return to the park setting. We have listened to what people want and we are pleased to return to the iconic park for 2016.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Lewis Jones, executive member for regeneration at Torfaen council, said: “While budgets are tighter than ever before, we have new partners on board this year and hope we can give everyone a fantastic day out. We’re also embracing the Olympics in a big way, and hope to use the day to celebrate all that is great about our local and national sports men and women and make it an action packed programme.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​