THE fifth annual Cwmbran Big Event takes place this weekend at Cwmbran Boating Lake from 12noon to 5pm.

The event includes sporting competitions, craft and food stalls, and a large covered stage for a wide variety of music and dance acts, headlined by The Switchtones.

There will be rides for small children, a petting zoo, a miniature railway, paddle boats, a climbing wall and go-karts, and dog lovers are encouraged to bring their pets along to enter into the dog show at 2pm.

Parking will be available at Llantarnam and Llanyrafon schools, just a short walk from the boating lake itself. Visitors are also encouraged to walk or cycle to the event if possible, and cycle parking is available on site.

Recycling facilities are also available, and visitors will able to recycle most of their waste, including glass bottles, cans, paper, plastic and cardboard, on-site.

More than 10,000 people attended last year’s event and most activities are free, and designed to be fun for the whole family.

For a copy of the programme visit wwww.torfaen.gov.uk/thebigevent

Highlights include 12noon to 1pm Torfaen Leisure Trust raft race heats, 2pm to 3pm The Switchtones, 2pm to 4pm Dog show and 3pm to 5pm Dance Stars Academy.

You can also like facebook.com/torfaen or follow @torfaencouncil on Twitter.

Visitors are encouraged to use the hashtag #bigevent if Tweeting on the day.