WHEN Newtown residents are asked for their favourite community events of the past then several names are usually pitched.

The Stampede will always be popular for many and remembered for the day in the year when Newtown was turned into a town from the Old West.

Later the town was the birthplace of the world's first ever Santa Run - an event which put Newtown on the world map.

The third annual event which once made up part of the Newtown social and cultural calendar was the Mayfest.

This celebration of music, arts and culture was one of the most eagerly-anticipated events of the year and attracted hundreds of people to the town each May.

Sadly, all three have long been discontinued, and join the Newtown Town Carnival in the annals of history.

Hopefully the latter will return next year but we can only look back ruefully at the lost Mayfest and hope one day it will be revived and bring the town to life each spring.

In the meantime have a look at our pictures from past Mayfest's.

County Times: Newtown May Festival. pic at the May Festival is Dewi Williams (4) from Newtown.

Dewi Williams from Newtown at a past Mayfest.

County Times: Newtown May Festival. pic is the May Festival parade through Newtown

The May Festival parade through Newtown.

County Times: Newtown May Festival. pic is the May Festival parade through Newtown. pic are Y Lost Bastardos

The May Festival parade through Newtown. 

County Times: Newtown May Festival. pic in the Big Top is Smoke Like a Fish

Smoke Like a Fish perform at the Mayfest.

County Times: Newtown May Festival. pic in the Chill Tent at the May Festival is Mud Pies by Coleg Powys Students.

May Festival mud pie making by Coleg Powys students.

County Times: Newtown May Festival, Kay Davies dancing to the Samba band on the streets of Newtown.

Kay Davies dancing to the Samba band on the streets of Newtown.

County Times: Rock night at the Elephant and Castle hotel in Newtown, as part of the May festival in the town. Pictured is Rhys Clarke (rythymn guitar and keyboards) and Ben Hoolihan (vocals) for "Seed" who took the crowd by storm.

Rock night at the Elephant and Castle Hotel in Newtown.

County Times: Newtown May Festival. pic is the May Festival parade through Newtown. pic is the Masquerade Arts Workshop.

The Masquerade Arts Workshop during a Mayfest parade.

County Times: Newtown May Festival, Sam Chappel, from Dolwen nr Llanidloes, one of the many players who entertained shoppers in Bear Lanes on Saturday

Sam Chappel, from Dolwen entertained shoppers in Bear Lanes during a past Mayfest.

County Times: Newtown May Festival, Callum and Huw Evans , 18 month year old twins, from Caersws ,taking a well earned break from the festivities.

Callum and Huw Evans from Caersws at a past Mayfest.