MORE than 1,000 children are set to practice a jamboree before one of Europe’s largest youth festivals comes to Denbighshire in 2020.

The Urdd National Eisteddfod, the annual Welsh-language youth festival of literature, music and performing arts organised by Urdd Gobaith Cymru, will be staged at Kilford Farm on the outskirts of Denbigh in May. It is expected to attract tens of thousands.

The ancient traditional eisteddfod rooted in celebrating arts and culture in Wales and the children’s Urdd was founded in 1929 in a bid to get seven to 24-year-olds making songs, art, dances and instrumentals.

Ahead of the festival next year, the Rhyl Pavilion theatre will welcome busloads of children from schools across the county on October 3 for a singalong with school song service CânSing and the Welsh National Opera. It will be followed by an evening concert featuring WNO soloist Kiefer Jones and youth music groups such as Côr Cytgan Clwyd, Indigo Academy, Only Boys Aloud and the DMC Senior Brass Ensemble.

There will also be a choir of 250 children from Trefnant, Rhuddlan and Rhyl.

The ceremony begins in Prestatyn on Saturday, October 5 with a proclamation parade led by the Cambria Band. It will travel from Prestatyn High School, through the town and on to Bastion Gardens, where a fun day and live music are expected to be attended by more than 2,000 visitors.

Huw and Elin from S4C’s Cyw, the DMC Senior Brass Band and Y Trwbz will be followed by performances from schools and youth clubs will during the afternoon.

There will also be a variety of stalls and activities including sports sessions and circus skills sessions with Cimera.

Cllr Hugh Evans, leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “We are eagerly awaiting the return of the Eisteddfod to Denbighshire and look forward to welcoming the festival to the county. There is already a lot of excitement in the county, with communities having been busy raising money by holding a wide variety of events.

“There is a strong eisteddfodic and cultural tradition here in Denbighshire and enthusiastic individuals have worked with the Urdd to organise a festival to remember.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the proclamation event before our attention turns to the main festival which will take place in May and to show the rest of Wales how beautiful and welcoming Denbighshire is.”

Among the initiatives taking place in the lead up to the major event is a schools’ banner design competition in which pupils will be challenged with the task of creating a banner that promotes the Denbighshire Urdd Eisteddfod. The winning design will be displayed at the event during May 25-30.

Morys Gruffydd, acting director of the Urdd Eisteddfod, said: “We’re looking forward to a busy week and we’re very grateful to the people of Denbighshire, the county council, the executive committee and all of the local councils and organisations for their welcome and support as we all prepare to bring the Urdd Eisteddfod to the region.”