The events form part of Cadw’s own Cauldrons and Furnaces initiative which is inspired by the Cultural Olympiad and a partnership between Cadw, the Welsh Assembly Government’s historic environment service and Arts Council of Wales with funding from Legacy Trust UK.

The variety of colourful events on show will include community art workshops, dance, music and creative crafts activities. The weekend also marks two years to go until the 2012 London Olympics.

In the first week of the school summer holidays Harlech Castle will play host to a series of community workshops for young people -including circus, carnival and acrodance. The summer school workshops will culminate in a carnival parade along Barmouth Beach and train journey to Harlech- reliving the great Victorian Excursion. Once inside the castle the visitors will be entertained by an absurd and bizarre Barnum and Bailey style Circus Show.

On Sunday 25 July Flint Castle will be a-flutter with flags. Visitors will be invited to have a go at making their own flags and then those brave enough can participate in an impromptu staging of a tournament.

Meanwhile in St Davids Bishop’s Palace visitors can join a drumming class- the very first rehearsal for the production of The Pilgrimage which will be staged in summer 2012.

Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, said: “The aim of this ambitious programme of events and activities is to inspire and engage with the children and young people of Wales to deliver a lasting legacy of creativity beyond the next two years and beyond the Olympics themselves. The free workshops as part of the Open Weekend will also enable people of all ages and abilities to share in the excitement of the games, to get involved and try something new in a wide range of creative activities.

“The Cauldrons and Furnaces programme promises to excite every community in Wales and bring the values of the Olympics to our diverse linguistic and cultural communities."