THE NINTH edition of one of the town's most popular family festivals is set to take place next month.

Music in the Park at Penarth’s Belle Vue Park takes place this year on Sunday, July 9.

The event is a free Penarth community event organised and hosted by Friends of Belle Vue Park who say it is one of the town's most popular family events with each of the last two years having seen more than 1000 people attend.

There will be a range of mostly local bands, appealing to many music tastes, performing from 2pm until 7pm.

This year’s music includes jazz from Hot Barbecue, Rock ‘n’ Roll from The Silverbacks, 60s and 70s hits from Maddi’s Band, country and folk from Dave Morris, swing and jive from St Louis Express and much more.

Andrew Wigford has organised the musical performances for every single Belle Vue Music in the Park.

He’s also lead vocalist of local band The Snorklers which will be performing at the event.

He said: "Seeing people really enjoying themselves is the best thing ever.

"People ask me all year round when’s the next Music in the Park.

"I’ve lost count of how many people tell me it is their favourite local event.

"It's a great team effort as well. The people who volunteer on the gates, on the stands, setting things up, putting it all away, who make the event happen; without them we cannot put on an event like this.

"One of the most impressive things on the day is seeing how the crowd play their part in looking after the park and tidying up after themselves. Some years it's hard to spot a single piece of litter.

"There have been many brilliant moments. I love it when the audience gets involved, and so do all the performers.

The kids always steal the show and we have had some amazing dancers from as young as two.

"It is the atmosphere that keeps getting better and better.

"People really look forward to this event - young and old and from all backgrounds and everyone comes to enjoy themselves and show respect to each other and the park."

He also thanked the Vale council for their "great" support in sponsoring and supplying the stage

In addition to the performances, this year’s event has a selection of local food vendors serving gourmet steak burgers, wood-fired pizzas cooked to order, crepes, macarons, hand-crafted fudge, sweets, snow cones, ice creams, non-alcoholic drinks.

There will also be local craft, novelty and accessory stalls.

Activities for children include Hook A Duck and Penalty Shoot-Out and face-painting.

Belle Vue Bowling Club will be offering the chance to play Target Bowls and trial rolls throughout the afternoon.

Bands give their performances for free and costs are partly covered by sponsorships by several local companies including main sponsors Property Presentation and Maintenance Ltd, David Baker and Co, Masons Self Storage, the Vale of Glamorgan Council and others.

More details about the event are featured on the Friends of Belle Vue Park, Penarth Facebook Page.