A FREE community picnic packed with food, games and entertainment is set to bring residents together at Newent Lake next month.

Newent Town Council has announced the Community Picnic will take place on Saturday, June 20 from 4PM until 6PM, with organisers encouraging people to bring blankets and enjoy an evening of shared food and conversation.

Residents can pre-order a free wrap for the event, while others are welcome to bring their own picnic and enjoy the lakeside celebrations.

The event will include live background entertainment, pickup sports, outdoor games, nature walks and a teddy bear picnic for younger children. Families are also expected to enjoy fairground rides and an ice cream van during the afternoon.

Organisers say the picnic will act as the grand finale to a full day of activities taking place across the town.

Earlier in the day, residents will be able to visit the Mend and Repair Café between 10AM and 1PM, where volunteers will help repair household items while visitors relax with tea and cake.

The monthly Town and Country Market will run from 10AM until 2PM in Newent’s historic market square, while The Shambles will host independent shops, galleries, outdoor games and live artist demonstrations throughout the day.

Newent Driveways will also return between 10AM and 4PM, giving bargain hunters the chance to explore yard sales and handmade goods across the town.

More information about the Community Picnic and activities throughout the day is expected to be released soon.

Council organisers said the event is designed to encourage community connections and celebrate everything Newent has to offer, with visitors invited to spend the day exploring the town before gathering beside the lake during the evening.

They added that the picnic is open to everybody, whether attending alone, with relatives or alongside groups of friends.