Miss Southport finalists to parade at Food Festival
Plus: Meet all 14 contestants
IN days gone by, beauty pageant contestants simply had to look pretty, and state something about wanting world peace – but Miss Southport finalists will take it to a whole new level at this weekend’s Southport Food and Drink Festival. A seaside town this may be, but the event has moved away from the bathing beauty image, with contestants taking part in an ‘Eco fashion round’. Each of the Miss Southport contenders must bring with them an outfit produced from recycled and/or ethically sourced materials. The contest will start at 2pm this Saturday ( June 4). The ladies have been busy, browsing at charity shops and gathering hand-me-downs. Joanne Dwyer from Sefton Council’s tourism team said: “The theme for the outfits is ‘Classic English Fashion’ and the girls are expected to go all out to impress, using items such as zips, newspapers and even bin bags.”
In previous years, finalists have impressed with outfits made from shells, feathers and flags; and visitors to the Southport Food and Drink Festival can expect to see equally fantastic ensembles.
The free, three-day Southport Food and Drink Festival is run by Sefton Council and will take place in Victoria Park, Southport from Friday to Sunday ( June 3-5).
This year the festival celebrates its 10th birthday and will be open from 10am to 6pm every day.
Visitors will be able to choose dishes and delicacies from around the world while street food stalls will be selling food and drink including ostrich burgers, burritos, curry, pizza, and buffalo wings.
The eco fashion parade will take place on Saturday. The Miss Southport Grand Final will also happen on the Sunday in The Atkinson.
Also taking place on Saturday will be a flare cocktail competition, run by Flair ‘n’ Funk, which starts at 1.30pm, and a Hot Wings Challenge starting at 3pm.
The food festival will open with a 10th birthday tea party, organised in conjunction with A Great Little Place.
Visitors can enjoy fine teas, sandwiches, open rolls, scones, strawberry and rose Eton Mess and Food Festival-inspired cakes. Tickets can be bought in advance from A Great Little Place, London Street, Southport.
Younger visitors can enjoy the Children’s Festival, which will run as part of the main event on all three days.
Craft activities will be provided by The Creation Station with storytelling, critters, face painting, balloon modelling and more.
Miss Southport 2016 line-up: Page 40