TENS of thousands of food-fans will descend on Abergavenny this weekend for 'the Glastonbury of food festivals'.

To celebrate, installations made by Crickhowell-based Arts Alive Wales with the theme of Pigs and Garlands will adorn the festival.

The huge model pigs will be hanging in various locations around the town.

Bettina Reeves has been decorating the festival for the last 16 years. She said: "This year’s theme was chosen partly through process of elimination. I've done it for 16 years now and we have covered quite a few different food themes, but we hadn't done pigs.

"They are a good choice as they are quite appealing and humourous and there are lots of gorgeous different species to chose from.

"Some of the pigs, which were created by 60 volunteers, will be decorated with beautiful silk flower garlands - I'm not sure why I thought they went together, but they do look good."

She added: "As of now, it’s all looking great. We are just finishing up and are hanging up the last pig and piglets and they’re looking very fun.

"The installations are are done under the auspice of Arts Alive Wales, and they've been involved in decorating the festival for 15 years."

Organisers expect 30,000 people to visit the festival and say it will add up to £4 million towards the town’s economy.

The festival is spread across five venues in the town, with more than 230 food stalls showcasing their stock.

Last year it was awarded the Best Event in Wales by the National Tourism Awards for Wales.

The Kitchen Cabinet’s presenter, food critic Jay Rayner, will be speaking at his My Dining Hell event this evening at the Borough Theatre.

Tonight (Friday) will also see Charles Martell hosting the sold out ‘Tasting of Vintage Spirit Cocktails and Farmhouse Cheeses', while celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall with Joanna Blythman will host 'A New Way to Eat'.

On Saturday Franco Taruschio founder of the legendary The Walnut Tree in Abergavenny will hold Artisan Kitchen School: Franco Taruschio and 'The Art of Pasta Making', a sold-out event.

Chef demonstrations will be held in the town’s Market Hall, and children can visit the Food Academy at the castle.

For the first time ever a Night Market will be held on the Saturday and individually ticketed events will be held around the town throughout the weekend. The box office will open on Saturday at 9am and the general market sites will be open from 9.30am until 6pm.