Sarah Bradbury from Llanidloes sent us a write-up and photos of the 2003 event:
2003 Fancy Dress Photo Tour 2004 Fancy Dress Photo Tour
"Fourth July 2003 and the 34th year of Llanidloes Fancy Dress was held in this small market town in Central Powys.
Thousands of gatherers took to the streets as the music played and the crowds swelled - a beautiful sight of bright costumes and friendly faces, and these are not just locals. People hear about us all over the world. I have met people from the USA, Australia, Canada, and Europe who have heard of the event and friends have put them up for a week so they can come and enjoy it!
Llanidloes is a small town with a population of roughly 3000. It is a historical market town - most famous for its old market hall placed right in the centre of the town and the Chartist uprising here in 1839, now a peaceful town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful sense of calm. But come the first Friday in July, everything changes! And it is wonderful.
From 6pm in the evening, the town is shut off to traffic and everyone takes to the streets for a wonderful night. Meeting up with old friends and making plenty of new ones.
7pm is Judging Time and as the Town Council watch, children and adults in costume parade around the town. Prizes are awarded by loal Assembly Member Mick Bates. This has been a tradition every year and the children love it.
After the Judging is over, the partying begins. There's dancing in the streets with music from the Orange Rainbow Sound System on Longbridge street whilst on Great Oak Street, DJs from the Dragon Collective and others play out from the Great Oak Café to the street.
All in all it is the most amazing night to be had in the centre of Wales. I feel honoured to be part of it. It was all organised this year by Friends of Fancy Dress, a committee of volunteers dedicated to using their spare time to keep this one night festival alive. It is such a special event it can't stop. We won't let it! Thank you to all the stewards!"
Written by Sarah Bradbury from Llanidloes.
More fancy dress photos Llanidloes Town Site
your comments
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We try to publish as many comments as we can but unfortunately, due to the volume of comments we receive every day, we cannot guarantee that all comments submitted will be published
Boyzone
Hi, Guys And Dolls, Llani was really cool this year 2007 and again well done to Cheryl Rush, fancy dress shop at Newtown for all her great effort and work, she's a great person.
Sun Jul 8 19:45:05 2007
sarah gregson penrith cumbria
My fiance took me this year. I had a really good time. I never dress up so I did not know what to expect but put it this way, I have never seen anything quite like it! It was great.
Fri Jul 28 07:02:34 2006
Dominic Fowler - Shropshire
My girlfriend and I went last year, but not in dress. This year we're going as Ninjas :)
Thu Jul 6 16:22:04 2006
harold jones
i think it is good because you have a great time at home.
Thu Jul 6 14:49:20 2006
Adrian from Llani
The fancy dress is the first Friday in July, which this year is 7th July.
Tue Jun 27 10:51:55 2006
verity from aber
when is the Llanidloes Fancy Dress on this year - july the what as I would really like to go.
It's usually the first Friday in July but we've asked the organisers for confirmation and hopefully they'll get back to us soon - Mid Wales Web Team
Thu May 11 09:21:28 2006
Beckie from Angmering, West Sussex
I used to live in Llani until 1996 and i remember several years going to the fancy dress comp down in the town. I remember being dressed up by mum + dad too - as well as winning a few times in the kids catergories - spesh with a group of us once...we were milk bottles...complete with a milkman!! (in all fairness think we were the only kids group that year) but fantastic all the same. coming back 'home' (still feel it is) this summer for a bit - can never stay away for long!!
Tue Jan 17 23:08:13 2006
Stanley, Swansea
Llani fancy dress isn't any good, I found it boring just like the village itself. I did visit Llandinam though and that was a much better place, and I found out it was home to the former Cardiff CIty player, Sam Ashley Owen.
Wed Dec 28 21:55:29 2005
Mark from midlands
I lived in Caersws for 8 years, but still come back to Llani fancy dress most years and love to go in the Mount pub. The best dress I've ever seen was 2 years ago the 5 or 6 blokes dressed as a wall. Brilliant!
Tue Nov 8 12:31:11 2005
Natasha Tyler-Harris
Fantastic event. I've only been once but the atmosphere was fantastic. It's good to see so many people out enjoying themselves! Next time, I'm bringing more people with me...as long as we can find somewhere to stay!
Mon Oct 10 15:23:25 2005
Hayley Rees from Llanidloes
you'll be mad to miss llani fancy dress as it is the best event of the year!!! & its a good get together for old friends!!!!!!
Thu Sep 22 12:47:39 2005
Rhian Leighton now living in Southport
Started going to Llani Fancy Dress when I was in school, then dressed up for first time at 17, loved it then and it gone from strength to strength each year. Hoping it will still be going for its 50th year and that I will not be too embarassing to attend with my children!!
Sun Jul 24 15:56:12 2005
Maggie, Newtown
First time at the festival. Great time will definitely return next year.
Thu Dec 9 21:55:42 2004
Sarah Bradbury from Llanidloes
HI THERE - 2004 was a great event! thank you for coming - ... 35 years!
Wed Jul 7 21:05:09 2004
Charlotte Jewell From Llanidloes
Llani Fancy Dress is the best night out you could ever go to and to see all the over peoples costumes is fantastic its a great laugh and you would be dull to miss out on the actoin!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wed Mar 10 12:43:06 2004
Mig Hunt, Llanidloes
mid wales, NO the UK's best kept secret... a great night out, lots of fun and open to all.
Sun Mar 7 21:19:35 2004
jessica morgan from llanidloes
Llanidloes...is a pretty town. It has a museum of Welsh life.
Fri Feb 20 09:48:36 2004
Linda Evans from Caersws
Llani Fancy Dress is a great night out even if you go just as an onlooker. The effort people put in to making their costumes and get into the spirit of the evening should be applauded - from tiny tots to the young at heart. Long may it continue and well done to the organisers.
Mon Jul 21 10:10:04 2003
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