The Big Cheese Festival 2012 in Caerphilly attracted 80,000 visitors over its three days according to organisers.
Despite the huge number descending on the town, Gwent Police has claimed there were no reports of trouble and not one arrest.
Cllr Harry Andrews, leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “The Big Cheese festival has become one of the most popular events in Wales and has contributed greatly to helping put Caerphilly county borough on the map as a key tourism destination.
“A lot of hard work goes into organising an event of this magnitude and I would like to thank the organisers and our sponsors for their continued support – it really is very much appreciated. I would also like to thank all the local people who once again turned out to make this year’s Big Cheese such a success.”
The annual festival began on Friday evening with the traditional Great Cheese race with 28 teams carrying a cheese taking part.
Caerphilly Swim Squad was announced as the winners of the Junior Contest and the Swamp Donkeys (Leisure Centre staff) were crowned winners of the Adult Contest.
This year’s theme of the Olympics was evident in the festival’s Parade of Nations, which saw more than 150 people from across the globe don their country’s national dress and parade through Caerphilly town and onto the Big Cheese site.
Friday’s opening also included the Olympic Opening Ceremony on a large screen and the night ended with a spectacular firework display over Caerphilly Castle.
Saturday and Sunday saw the fun continue with an extravaganza of street entertainers, living history encampments, music, falconry, craft stalls, a huge funfair.
Send us your Big Cheese pictures to news@caerphilly.observer and leave us your thoughts on the festival below. How were the prices this year? Was there plenty to do?
Oh well Caerphilly has its big cheese and hard cheese and Harry becomes happy Harry, but for Blackwood, no Bedwelty show no balloon festival, the council interest stops at the Islwyn border, the Islwyn is a cash generator for the old Rhymney valley. Time Islwyn Councillors stood up and took action.
Lindsey- correct, you are welcome to it, in fact it would be good idea to move this activity around the borough and share the pleasures it brings ( sic).
Can anyone give a clear and precise reason for this outragous event which takes over the town, private homes, and the rights of individuals to go about their normal daily activity?
Can anyone give an explination as to why the Caerphilly council use up the normal carbon footprint of a small nation, in three days?
Can anyone explain why it seems a good idea, year after year, for local towns people to put up with the noise pollution, anti-social behaviour, litter in the residential streets of the town left uncleaned, and the spending of a months Gwent police budget in three days to oversee the event?.
Lets hear it from those Councillors who have responsibilty for this `circus` rolling into town to take it over every year, and lets have a public debate on it before it happens all over again next year.
A great show, as usual.
Clive Betts, do you know what it is all about?????
There are those adversely effected by this even year on year.
However Energlyn residents are far enough away not to be effected, and, to therefore enjoy the discomfort of others from afar. Debate? what debate, bring it on.
I live within a few hundred yards of this event and think it brings a lot of pleasure to the majority yes majority of residents and visitors. I walked the town and Big Cheese site directly after the event and there was little evidence of litter or disruption to the grounds used by this event. Keep it going.