Newport 2010 – it’s the Ryder Cup city

Daring tightrope walkers high above the city, breathtaking fire shows lighting up the river, fairground rides along the riverside, and big names in music, arts and comedy heading to Newport.

These are just some of the highlights we can look forward to as we countdown to Newport 2010 – one of the most exciting years in the city’s history.

The Newport Festival 2010 will be the largest and most spectacular programme of events the city has ever seen. Starting in March next year, there will be hundreds of events taking place right across the city with something for everyone to join in the celebrations and you can follow it all online at www.newport.gov.uk/newportfestival

In a year’s time the eyes of the world will be on Newport when the world’s greatest golfers tee off at the Celtic Manor for the Ryder Cup. It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to raise Newport’s profile on a global stage with tens of thousands of people from around the world attending the event which is watched by hundreds of millions around the world.

But before then, the Newport Festival 2010 will be in full flow, with thousands of residents having the chance to take part in hundreds of events which could include Wales’s largest ever community arts project (details coming soon) and catching some exhilarating shows that will live long in the memory.

And that’s not all we can look forward to in Newport next year. The striking new railway station and university campus developments will both be complete, creating two modern landmarks in the centre of the city. And thanks to funding from the Welsh Assembly Government, a city wide programme will enhance key buildings and locations.

Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of Newport city council, said:

"The next 12 months promise to be among the most memorable in Newport's modern history and a once in a lifetime opportunity to raise our profile on a global stage and create a long lasting legacy feeling good about the city.

“Clearly the eyes of the world will be in Newport as we build up to the Ryder Cup and the fact that we are a city capable of hosting one of the world’s great sporting occasions should give everyone in the city a huge amount of pride.

”But the next 12 months are about so much more than golf and with our exciting plans for the Newport Festival 2010, thousands of residents can be involved in a huge programme of events that will live long in the memory.”