THOUSANDS are expected to flock to Blackwood this weekend to enjoy the sun at the land-locked town’s very own beach party.

This year the event, held over Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24, is extra special with Blackwood Town Council and Caerphilly County Borough Council joining forces to make the event even bigger.

Businesses on the high street were out in force competing with the many stalls set up along high street and taking advantage of the crowds.

Entertainment on High Street included a “beach” constructed on High Street with real sand, costumed performers, a stage with singers and dancers set up by the town council, face painting and fair ground rides.

Even the weather played its part, adding perfectly to the beach party theme.

“We’ve ordered in the weather especially for this year of course,” jokes Mayor of Blackwood Town Council, Jim Edwards.

“Today’s just the first of two days and it has already been busy, which is great.

“The main point of this us bringing the community together, and you can see from the amount of people here that they are enjoying it.

“It’s great for the town and the businesses in the town too. Hundreds of people of the high street means a bigger footfall for everyone.

“The uplift should last for a few weeks afterwards too.”

Rob Duggan, owner of McKenzie’s Café Bar on the high street was taking advantage of the extra crowds by setting up a stall outside his shop selling drinks and tasty treats.

“We’ve only been here nine months, so we’re hoping for a lot of people to uplift business,” he said.

“It’s been going well for us, but today’s just such a great chance for us to take advantage of the increased footfall in the town centre.

Sonia Ford, 71, and her husband Arthur Ford, 73, said they were making the most of the weather by taking in the beach party.

“We come every year,” added Mrs Ford.

“We’re in Blackwood most weekends and a few times during the week anyway because it’s close to where we live, but this weekend is special every year.

“It really helps the town, there are just so many people here.

“But the only problem is that the children don’t know what to do with themselves – there’s just so much entertainment and food on offer for them!”

Zoe Hammond, 39, from Pontllanfraith, is the chair of events for Blackwood Town Council, and this year she was responsible for organising the council’s contribution to the weekend, which included a full day of stage performances and a number of charitable stalls at the North end of High Street, as well as the eagerly anticipated 3pm carnival parade.

“It’s going really well,” she said.

“At one point we thought we would have to stop putting the carnival on, but luckily we’ve managed to merge with the borough council’s beach party and it’s going well.”

Cerri Anne Russel, 30, from Cefn Forest said she was having a great time in the sun at the beach party with her sister-in-law Jordan Russell from Abertillery and her two children, Olivia Hadley, 6, and George Hadley, 4.

“The kids are loving it,” said Ms Russell.

“Their favourite bit so far is the face painting.

“We come most years but we’ve never had weather like this before. It just makes it so much better and everyone seems to be enjoying it.”

Sarah-Kate Ackerman, 42, and Stacy Francis, 37, both from Blackwood, work as Caerphilly County Borough Council events planners, and were responsible for putting this weekend’s beach party together.

The both said the loved planning an event for their home town.

“This year was the first year we’ve joined with the town council, and it’s gone really well,” said Ms Ackerman.

“They’ve got a fantastic stage going with loads of great acts all day, so it’s just more for everyone.

“I remember when the sand pit was tiny back when we started in 2011, but now it’s huge. This event has just grown and grown.”

“We had about 9000 people last year, over two days,” added Ms Francis.

“So we think we should get similar numbers this year.

“It makes us so proud to be putting on an event in our home town. It’s really special.”