THE organisers of one of Wales’ biggest festivals have cancelled this year’s event.
The Abergavenny Food Festival, now in its 21st year, was due to take place in September but will not go ahead because of the ongoing uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kim Waters, CEO of Abergavenny Food Festival, announced the decision on the event’s website.
In a statement, Mr Waters said the decision was taken by the festival board with ‘great sadness’ and spoke of the problems and challenges stallholders and supporters in food, farming and hospitality currently face.
He said: “We have tried very hard to find a way in which we could hold a festival this September, but with great sadness we must announce that because of ongoing uncertainties around the COVID-19 pandemic, our annual food celebrities will not go ahead.”

“For 23 years our not-for-profit organisation has worked with, and showcased smaill businesses, producers, farms and growers. In that spirit, we are doing what we can to support those involved in these areas and will continue to explore ways of connecting people during a time food supply has become more important than ever. We encourage our festival supporters to continue their engagement with those in our extending food family,” added Mr Waters.
The town’s renowned festival, which attracts around 35,000 visitors to Abergavenny over two days, was once described by a national magazine as ‘the Glastonbury of food festivals’. It is held in several venues around the town, both indoors and out, including the Market Hall, the Borough Theatre and grounds of Abergavenny Castle and Museum and features stalls, talks and demonstrations.

Mr Waters confirmed that the festival will return next year.
He said: “Many very exciting things had been planned for AFF 2020; please don’t think of these as being cancelled, but marinating so they taste even better when we all meet up together in 2021.”
“We will still be here for you with a viable and inclusive festival that will support our whole community.”