This year Rhayader Carnival will be celebrating its 120th year.

The Carnival Committee are excited for this major milestone and they hope that the local community, businesses and visitors to the town will help them celebrate.

The Carnival Queen this year is 14-year-old Emily Lewis from Nantmel. Emily is a pupil at Ysgol Calon Cymru, Llandrindod Wells and is an active member in Rhayader YFC. During her time with YFC she has gained several awards, including in flower arranging. 

This years Queen, Emily, is pictured with her attendants above: Front left - Charlie Evans, Lily-Jayne Evans, Courtney Fowlie, Aria Howard, Dion Watkins. Back left -  Lola-Grace Jackson, Fflur Bennetts, (Queen) Emily Lewis, Madison Steele.

This year Rhayader Carnival Week kicks of on Sunday, July 14.

There will be a week-long celebration of evening events including the ever popular hill races. There will also be quizzes, the ‘It's a Knockout‘ competition and much more!

The week, as always, concludes with the carnival itself which promises to be a colourful display as residents and friends of Rhayader gather for a procession through the town following the residing carnival Queen and visiting Queens from neighbouring towns.

Rhayader Carnival Day 2024 proper will take place on Saturday, July 20.

Rhayader Carnival is one of the longest running local carnivals in Wales and attracts visitors from all over the world.

During the week-long spectacle, there are a wide range of events that will appeal to all ages.

The origin of carnival day in Rhayader can be traced back to the royal opening of the Elan Valley dams on July 21, 1904. This was cause for celebration and ever since then the town has celebrated with a carnival in July.