RESIDENTS and visitors are being encouraged to turn out for a town festival.

This year’s annual Daniel Owen Festival in Mold will feature a wide range of attractions for all to enjoy.

Activities will include arts events, theatrical performances, guided heritage walks, activities for children, talks and historic exhibitions, as well as the prestigious Daniel Owen lecture - with some events in Welsh and others are in English or bilingual.

The festival begins with two free bilingual activities for children and their families.

On Saturday, October 20 ‘my statue’ will be a drop-in creative arts event from 1.30pm to 3.30pm in Daniel Owen Square (or the Daniel Owen Centre if it rains).

Visitors can help to produce a square full of ‘statues’, guided by artist Gwenno Jones from Theatr Clwyd’s creative engagement team.

Those taking part will be encouraged to draw their own statue, decorate it, and see their life-size drawing hanging with Daniel Owen’s statue.

Gwenno said: “Come along and help to produce a Square full of statues.

"I’m really looking forward to working with children and their families to create some fantastic colourful art works to fill Daniel Owen Square.

"Every drawing will be unique, we’re providing all the materials you’ll need, and people can take their drawings home with them at the end of the event.”

Cambria Band will be performing at 1.30pm to start the event and the mayor of Mold, Cllr Karen Hodgkinson, will lay a wreath on Daniel Owen’s statue.

On Sunday, there will be storytelling and a treasure hunt from 2pm to 4pm starting at Mold Library and Museum.

Visitors can listen to tales from the worlds of myths and legends, history and fairy tales, and about Daniel Owen himself, the famous author from Mold, and then rise to the challenge of finding the places mentioned in the stories.

The lively week-long festival celebrates the life and achievements of Daniel Owen, the outstanding Welsh-language novelist of the 19th century.

Dave Hill, town centre manager for Mold, said: "I am sure the people of mold and surrounding areas will enjoy the opportunity to experience what the Daniel Owen Festival has to offer.

"They have some great events on so please come out and enjoy the festival, which is named after Mold's most famous son."

Full programme details of all the events in this year’s Daniel Owen Festival, from October 20 to 27, are available on the web site www.danielowenfestival.com or from Mold Library, 01352 754791, and Mold Town Council, 01352 758532.