THIS year’s Parêd Dewi Sant will kick off with Wythnos Tapas Llyn Week between 23 February and 2 March, which is a feast of local Welsh tapas created with local ingredients by local people and with a Welsh name to the dish.

They will be available at Gwesty Ty Newydd, Aberdaron; Caffi Meinir, Nant Gwrtheyrn; Oriel Plas Glyn y Weddw, Llanbedrog; Caffi Grug, Botwnnog; and Glasu, Taro Deg, Whitehall, Gwalia and Felin Fwyd in Pwllheli.

And why not wash it down in style? New cocktail bar Tookoos, which opened in December, will be making Welsh cocktails to celebrate.

Llio Lloyd Williams from Taro Deg said: “It’s brilliant that we’re working with Parêd Dewi Sant Pwllheli to celebrate our Welshness and culture, and to connect this with local food. Today people like to know where the produce comes from and Tapas Llyn is a creative and exciting way to offer new and local food for our customers.”

A new business that opened its doors seven months ago will be participating for the first time. Linda Thomas of Felin Fwyd said: “As a brand new business in town we are very excited to participate in Tapas Llyn this year. Seeing people enjoying tasty local produce to celebrate our culture and Welsh identity is amazing.”

This year, the country is also celebrating that the Welsh dragon has been the official flag of Wales for 60 years, so the dragon is this year’s theme for the parade.

Many dragons will be seen on Tapas Llyn meals as well. The cafés will receive Welsh flag cocktail sticks to decorate their plates and celebrate the dragon’s birthday.

Dyfed Pritchard, member of the Cymdeithas Parêd Dewi Sant Pwllheli committee, added: “We’ve had great response to Tapas Llyn again this year. Thanks to the cafés and restaurants for being so willing to take part. Make sure you go over during the week to taste the best of Welsh produce.”

Pwllheli Library will be holding a craft session for children on 1 March, Whitehall will be holding a Gwyl Dewi quiz on Thursday night, 28 February, at 8.30pm, and a Saint David’s Day dinner will be held at 7pm on 1 March, also at Whitehall, with guest speaker Alun Ffred.

Musical fringe events will be happening under Llanast Llyn in public spaces and pubs, including the Traed Moch Môn band who will be performing at Penlan on Saturday night, 2 March.

Mr Urdd has confirmed he will be there to celebrate and joining him are Casia Wiliam, Wales Children’s Poet; Osian Rhys Jones and Gruffudd Eifion Owen, the winning bards at Eisteddfod Môn 2017 and Cardiff 2018; Batala Bangor; and Band Pwllheli. There will be face painting and balloons for children.

Dewi Pws and Iestyn Tyne will also be performing Cân y Parêd (The Parade’s Song) with schoolchildren from the Llyn and Eifionydd.

On Saturday, 2 March, all participants for the parade should arrive at the car park at Swyddfa Ardal Dwyfor, Embankment Road by 10.30am.