Around a hundred thousand people are expected to visit Llandudno for the Armed Forces Day today.
Displays including the Red Arrows are set to thrill the crowds on the town's promenade and at the arena in Bodafon Fields.
The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, will attend the event, and there will be flypasts from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight team which includes a Lancaster bomber, Spitfire and a Hurricane.
Prime Minister Theresa May will also attend the event and gave the people of North Wales a special message ahead of Armed Forces Day.
A huge warship - the HMS Somerset - is docked in Llandudno for the event. You can take a tour of the ship here.
We'll be bringing you all the latest from the event, which is leading the nation in saying thank you to our servicemen and women.
You can follow this live blog for updates throughout the day, including pictures and video of the spectacular action.
The programme for the day is due to start at 11am and finish at 5pm.
For more information, check out our https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/armed-forces-day-2018-llandudno-14842319ultimate guide to the event here.
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The day is almost here and North Wales is gearing up to play host to the National Armed Forces Day celebration.
As a week of events leading up to the big day draws to a close, all eyes are on Llandudno for the centrepiece event on Saturday.
And if you're heading to the event you're in luck - the weather is expected to be glorious.
However there's a few things you'll need to be mindful of.
The area's hotels will be rammed and parking your car anywhere near Llandudno is set to be a bit of a trial - check out our full parking guide here for the best places, or if you're planning on taking public transport to the event, these are the timetables you should be aware of.
There's also a series of road closures in place and there is bound to be a heavy police presence and special security measures in place.
The day itself will be jam-packed with displays, demonstrations and activities all in honour of our service men and women, past and present.
(Image: CCBC)
And with quarter of a million people expected in the coastal town for the day, it's set to be the biggest event Llandudno has ever seen.
With all the attractions localised on the promenade and Bodafon Fields, logistics have been well taken care of.
Whether you're looking for travel information, or the nearest toilets, where to find the Commander tank or when the Red Arrows perform or what time the Battle of Britain display takes place, all the details you need are right here:
As we welcome both visitors and locals to Llandudno, here's everything you need to know about Armed Forces Day 2018:
It will be a special day for Fusilier Shenkin IV - a goat who is the Royal Welsh's regimental mascot.
Armed Forces Day will be his first royal engagement.
However, it's worth noting that some people aren't that happy that the event is happening in Llandudno and there will be a protest during the event - details of which can be found here.
In a statement about the event, First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "Tomorrow is a very special day as Llandudno hosts this year’s National Armed Forces Day 2018.
"Wales has a strong history of military tradition and this event is an opportunity to recognise and mark our debt and gratitude to veterans of previous conflicts in our nation’s history.
"I am proud this major event to celebrate our armed forces is taking place in Wales.
"Conwy County Borough Council has done a great job in delivering this event and I’m pleased the Welsh Government is supporting them by being a major funding partner."
A spectacular sculpture marking Armed Forces Day for a special gala dinner - not a problem. Making it out of chocolate - in a heatwave - a phenomenal challenge.
And it is the challenge that has occupied Emma Baravelli night and day for over a week.
"I'm exhausted," confessed the artisan chocolatier, as she put the finishing touches to her piece.
"This commission has been something completely different."
The UK's National Armed Forces Day to recognise and celebrate Britain's forces is being held at Llandudno in Conwy county this year, with over 100,000 people expected to attend on Saturday for parades and displays.
Ahead of the big day is the charity gala dinner in the town, hosted by Conwy council and the forces' charity SSAFA.
Image caption Emma Baravelli has been working night and day to finish the sculpture
Emma and husband Mark have run their specialist chocolate shop a stones throw away in the walled castle town of Conwy for the last three years, and were a natural choice when the gala hosts were looking for that 'something' just a little bit different to become a centre-piece at the lavish event.
The commission was specific - it had to reflect all the British armed forces - and it had to have impact.
"It's not my usual theme, I have to be honest. I'm quite a girly girl," admitted Emma.
"It's usually flowers and animals, and things like elephants - more magical things, really.
"It was such an honour to be asked to celebrate the men and women who go above and beyond on our behalf - it's nice to give something back."
Her design includes a navy frigate, a tank, a submarine, and topping it all - an iconic World War Two RAF Spitfire.
It is all chocolate and all edible.
Emma estimates the 2ft structure contains about 22lb (10kg) of chocolate - mostly dark chocolate for its structural qualities, and white chocolate for decoration.
"But it was quite a challenge - particularly in this weather."
Parts of north Wales have recorded the hottest temperatures in the entire UK this week - hitting just over 32C (91F) in Porthmadog, just 40 miles away.
And it has been sweltering in the chocolate kitchen above the shop - with just a single air-conditioning unit running around the clock in a bid to cool things down.
It poses particular problems when it comes to making chocolate, as temperature is key. The gala dinner wants a sculpture - not a chocolate fountain.
"I don't remember it ever being this hot, and days of high humidity don't help when you are making chocolate," she added.
"We don't want a collapse in this heat.
"It's about understanding the structure of the chocolate. You have to use physics and chemistry to understand what is going on - it's not just case of melting it and putting it into a fancy shape.
"You have got to understand what is going on inside it, structure-wise."
Emma described the art of sculpting chocolate like stacking chairs - some are made to go together and give a strong and stable piece - but stack different types of chairs, and it could all topple over.
It is all difficult enough under normal circumstances - but the heatwave makes it a whole lot harder.
"It makes it really, really difficult - it's something else you have to worry about," said Emma.
"If it's a nice 15-degree day, then you're okay - but this is just unheard of for us.
"But hey - we like a challenge."
Armed Forces Day is here and it’s promising to be a weekend to remember in Cleethorpes.
Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to flock to the resort today for a packed line-up of parades, displays, stalls, music and more.
Last night saw the celebrations kick off with entertainment on the seafront, climaxing with a firework display.
Today will see the event get into full swing with the main parade followed by music at the Remembrance Gate in the early evening.
During the afternoon, there will also be air displays from the Dakota and the Blades.
Before that, we’ll see a world record attempt as volunteers attempt to build around 2,500 sandcastles in an hour.
The day will round off with another firework display ahead of Sunday’s schedule which will focus on the RAF Centenary celebrations including the legendary Red Arrows.
Follow our live blog below where we’ll bring you updates from the day including the traffic and travel situation with a number of roads closed for the event.
