CELEBRATIONS to mark Newport’s Ryder Cup year teed off in the city centre yesterday.

An action-packed calendar of events promoting city pride was unveiled at the Newport Festival 2010 launch at the Riverfront Theatre.

Thousands of local people are expected to take part in the a programme of events to get residents excited about hosting the world’s third largest sporting event at the Celtic Manor Resort this October.

A procession of carnival giants made by local schools and community groups will kick start the schedule with a march through John Frost Square on March 6.

A fireworks display, waters sports, circus acts and bands will be the star attractions at The Big Splash weekends from August until October at the Riverfront.

Fifty Super Dragons, each decorated by a local artist, will invade the city from July to October.

The five-foot sculptures will be placed at different locations for residents and visitors to explore along a trail, before being auctioned off to raise money for animal conservation charity Born Free and official Ryder Cup charity Tenovus.

As part of a programme to ensure residents feel involved in the Ryder Cup, school pupils are learning about golf and are being encouraged to play.

Local groups are also encouraged to apply for grants of up to £2,010 from the council to support community events.

Council leader Matthew Evans said Newport was entering into a new era and the most exciting year the city has seen.

He said: “I have always believed Newport had untapped potential. Hosting the Ryder Cup shows how far the city has come. Everyone wants to see Newport succeed.”

Award-winning actress and Born Free campaigner, Virginia McKenna, who was at yesterday’s launch said the Ryder Cup and the festival would make Newport the place to be in 2010. For information and to apply for community event funding visit www.newport.gov.uk/newportfestival

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Newport takes centre stage

THE launch of Newport's 2010 festival yesterday marks the beginning of a year long celebration of the city's hosting of the Ryder Cup.

And what it should do is bring home to people who live and work in the city, the benefit of Newport staging a tournament which ranks among the most important and valuable in the world.

Throughout the coming year, Newport will host myriad festivals, exhibitions, shows, parades, free family events and much more, all under the 2010 banner.

This is Newport city council's bid to make sure that its residents benefit from the fact the Ryder Cup is being staged at the Celtic Manor Resort.

This is an opportunity too good to miss to sell the city to the rest of Wales, Britain and the world.

And along with the obvious economic advantages for local hotels, restaurants and the like, this festival means the benefits will be spread far and wide across Newport.

With some of the new events set to become annual fixtures, they will help attract visitors for years to come.

To the city council's credit it has, working with many diverse partners, pulled together a feast of events which will run from the first parade of giant puppets in March through to the end of the year.

Some of the events will be small community-based festivals but others will be the likes of which Newport has never seen before and in our view it augurs well for a fantastic 2010.