The weekend of June 28-29 will see Crickhowell’s High Street closed to traffic and transformed into a vibrant celebration of local food, drink and artisan crafts with the inaugural Crickhowell Summer Weekend.

The two-day event is the brainchild of Andrew Powell, who’s organised the Brecon Beacons Food Festival in Brecon for the past 28 years and is a familiar face in Crickhowell thanks to his regular cheese and spirits tastings at Cashells Butchers & Delicatessen.

“Crickhowell has a fabulous independent High Street,” he said.

“And I wanted to do something to celebrate that, and showcase some of the amazing local food and drink producers and talented artisans in our region. The event is free, so there’s no need to book tickets. People can simply turn up and enjoy the town’s great shops and hospitality, as well as discovering specialist stallholders under cover in our big High Street marquee.”

The event is being sponsored by Castell Howell, Bwyd Powys Food (the Sustainable Food Partnership for Powys), Welsh Country Magazine and Crickhowell Town Council, which is paying for the road closure over the weekend.

Town Mayor Paul Evans CBE said: “This weekend's two events are a great way to bring the people of Crickhowell together and, we hope, encourage new visitors to our beautiful town and award-winning High Street. They are a way to support local businesses and help boost a sustainable local economy while having some fun. Crickhowell Town Council is delighted to have helped make it possible, and hopes such markets may become a fixture in the town’s calendar and pave the way to a revival of a much-missed tradition in this ancient market town.”

Bwyd Powys Food’s South Powys Coordinator Chloe Masefield said the Food Fest provided a unique opportunity to celebrate the important role of local farms and food producers.

“Crickhowell is surrounded by small businesses producing amazing food – whether that’s top-quality lamb or beef, apple juice or salad, or chutneys, cheeses, wines and jam,” she said.

“And it goes beyond great-tasting food, because every time we buy local, more of that money stays local, creating new jobs and income and ensuring our town continues to thrive.”

Here’s how the weekend will unfold:

The festivities kick off on Friday evening as Crickhowell’s High Street closes to traffic from 5pm for the marquee to go up, followed by an evening of relaxed socialising. Visitors can enjoy a fantastic array of food and drink offerings from the town’s bars, pubs and restaurants, setting the tone for a weekend of indulgence.

On Saturday, the Crickhowell Food Fest takes centre stage, showcasing 30 local food and drink producers, offering everything from farm-fresh veg, apple juice, honey and artisan cheese through to handmade cakes, kimchi and charcuterie, along with craft beers, wines, spirits, and more. Unlike many food festivals, there will be no fast-food trucks at this event. Instead, visitors are invited to explore Crickhowell’s diverse hospitality scene, with the town’s cafés, pubs and restaurants providing plenty of choice and a warm welcome. Plus Cashells Butchers & Deli will be serving up their signature homemade burgers all weekend, to celebrate 50 years on the High Street.

Live music will add to the festival atmosphere, with a performance from Crickhowell’s new Evergreen Chorus at 11am. Led by singer and music teacher Katie Truman-Williams and supported by members of their Bristol-based sister chorus, this contemporary choir’s eclectic mix of folk, rock, pop, and gospel will set the mood for a day of delicious exploration.

Local folk band O’r Galon will take centre stage around lunchtime, with a toe-tapping playlist of traditional and original tunes featuring everything from a bouzouki and banjo to whistles, harmonicas and flutes. And Katie Truman-Williams of Evergreen Chorus will return in the afternoon, for a solo set of classic hits.

Book-ish has also lined up a treat, with Brecon-based author and cook Gail Sequeira signing copies of her fabulous children’s book, “The Street Food Festival”. This feel-good story about a group of children who pull together to save their school’s walled garden includes 10 delicious recipes from diverse cultures.

Staying with the recipe theme, Bwyd Powys Food will be inviting people to share their “Inheritance recipes”. So bring along the treasured family recipe you’ve inherited from your parents or grandparents, as well as the dish you’d most like to pass on to the next generation. A great way to map our food history and changing tastes!

Local maker Emma Bevan-Henderson of Artisan Events Wales will host a bustling craft market featuring 37 stalls in the High street marquee and Market. Expect gorgeous handmade crafts with something to suit every budget, including unique homewares from Ether, Silver & Home, handstitched leather goods from Jeremy Trew, delicate fused-glass jewellery from Stonefield Glass, and gorgeous silk and wool scarves from Fabulous Felting. Whether you’re searching for a unique gift or simply looking to support talented artisans, this market will be the perfect place to browse and buy.

Parking for the event will be available in the town’s Pay & Display car park, at Crickhowell High School (free) and at the Crickhowell Football Club (£2 all day). The High Street will be re-opened to traffic from 7pm on Sunday, June 29.