Blaenavon is gearing up for the annual World Heritage Weekend, which takes place on 26th and 27th June 2010. A weekend of fun and activities for all of the family to enjoy. This year will be all the more special, as we will be celebrating the tenth anniversary of Blaenavon’s World Heritage Status.

Visit Blaenavon Heritage Town on Saturday 26th June for the World Heritage Day, a fun filled day of live music, street entertainers, a Victorian Funfair, craft stalls and refreshments. The day’s festivities will officially be opened by the Town Crier at 11:30am in Market Square.

The highlight of the day is the Heritage Costume Parade which starts at Broad Street car park at 1:30pm and parades through the town centre. With fantastic costumes, dancers, brass bands and samba drumming, the parade is a spectacle that is enjoyed by everyone, year after year.

During the day, children can enjoy the Victorian funfair including a carousel, as well as trampolines, Punch and Judy Show, Franko the Clown, face painting and a variety of other fun activities. There will be street entertainers and Morris dancers, Goldini the Balloon artist and live music throughout the day. Take time to visit the craft stalls and shops in the town, as well as enjoying a choice of refreshments including donuts, crepes and ice cream, before the festivities end at 5:00pm.

Following on from the festivities in the town centre, enjoy a day in the countryside on Sunday 27th June at the Garn Lakes Country Fayre, which is open from 10:30am until 5:00pm. Activities this year include kayaking on the lake, fishing, a climbing wall, archery, orienteering and cycling. Younger children can enjoy the story-telling, face-painting, trampolines and bouncy castle.

The ever popular craft marquee will be filled with various craft stalls selling jewellery, art, textiles, wood-turned items, cheese and chutneys. The bio-diversity area will include stalls from the RSPB, Gwent Badger Group and Gwent Beekeepers, as well as the opportunity to participate in traditional woodland crafts. Refreshments will be available throughout the day, including a hog roast, BBQ, crepes and ice-cream.

The now, well established, dog show will start at midday, with fun classes for dogs of all shapes and sizes. Sponsored by Trophy Pet Foods Welsh Valleys, there will be rosettes and prizes for all winners, with a treat for every dog who enters. Entry to each class is only £1.

Make sure your day includes a visit to the Blaenavon Steam Railway, who will be running trains throughout the day, with a special offer of 2 for 1 on all tickets.

Take a ride on the FREE vintage bus which will be operating all day long. It will circulate visitors around the World Heritage Site, with stops at the Blaenavon Steam Railway, Blaenavon Ironworks, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre and Blaenavon Heritage Town. Entry to the Fayre is FREE to all visitors. Cars will be charged £2 to park.

For further information on the World Heritage Weekend, telephone the Blaenavon Tourist Information Centre on (01495) 742333.