Food festival set to return with a rich global menu
THE 2022 Accrington Food Festival will return in style this summer with a number of attractions including international, regional and local food markets, 1940s singers, a full size Spitfire static display, a war re-enactment and a kitchen demo area including TV star Molly Robbins.
Molly, as seen on Netflix series Extreme Cake Makers, is an award-winning cake artist and celebrity chef, and will be presenting in the kitchen demo area on the main stage, open from 10am to 4pm.
Local chef from Crafty Fox, Paul Fox, will also be taking to the main stage for a live cooking demonstration, plus a Ready Steady Cook Food Pantry challenge.
With limited available space remaining, organisers of the festival, which takes place on Saturday, June 11, are encouraging local businesses to book their food stalls now.
The free Accrington town centre festival will see Broadway transformed into a street of international cuisine on both preview day June 10 and festival day itself, while an amazing regional and local food market offering wonderful local delicacies is also promised.
Accrington Market will also be hosting both an indoor and outdoor market for Hyndburn Independents, with visitors to the event encouraged to shop local.
A pop-up ‘Café René’ will be based at St James’ Church in the morning from 10am (weather permitting), offering tea, coffee and a selection of cakes supplied by main sponsor North Lancs Training Group (NLTG), with all proceeds going to the church.
From 12.30pm, the Parisian style café will then take centre stage for the eagerly anticipated war re-enactment (weather permitting) which will include actors performing as characters from the classic British sitcom ‘Allo ‘Allo, featuring guests appearances from Hyndburn MP Sara Britcliffe and NLTG Managing Director Gareth Lindsay.
Organisers Amazing Accrington are also inviting people to attend the event in 1940s dress to create a fantastic 1940s scene, while anyone with a classic military vehicle is encouraged to get in touch to add to the classic vehicles on show, including a replica Second World War Spitfire.
The event will also boast 1940s singers, with plenty of opportunities for visitors to have a bop on the square.
Sara Britcliffe said: “I can’t wait to see the town packed full of thousands of people enjoying themselves once again and most importantly shopping local.
“I’m also excited about my cameo role in the ‘Allo ‘Allo café scene prior to the war-renactment.
“It’s a great opportunity for the traders to do well and the Market Hall will also be welcoming local Hyndburn Independent businesses to come and sell their products from the market, which we celebrate.”
Hyndburn council leader Coun Miles Parkinson said: “It will be fantastic to see the town extremely busy again. From a great line-up of acts on the main stage, to a fabulous war re-enactment and a wonderful display of our local businesses, there is so much to look forward to.”
● FOR more information, and stall bookings, email editor@amazing accrington.co.uk.