Festival ‘back to its best’ as it returns this weekend
VILLAGE SHOWCASE WILL FEATURE MORE THAN 60 FOOD AND DRINK RETAILERS ALONGSIDE ENTERTAINERS
A RURAL festival has announced it will return to a small Peak District village this weekend.
Tideswell festival will take place in the village, just six miles east of Buxton, this Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
The event will showcase more than 60 food and drink traders, as well as an array of entertainers throughout the day.
Those attending the free entry annual extravaganza can expect to see a mixture of performers and musicians, as well as a number of local food and drink venues opening their doors to visitors.
The festival is organised and run by a group of local village volunteers, who donate any surplus as grants to local causes. So far, in excess of £6,000 has been distributed to various local projects.
The Tideswell event had humble beginnings, starting in May 2011 with only 20 stalls as a celebration of the range and quality of local food on offer in the Peak District.
But it has since tripled in the number of vendors it provides and, with an array of stalls to explore, the event now attracts attendees in their thousands.
A member of the organising team, Julia Fell, said: “We are delighted to announce Tideswell’s famed food festival is returning to its traditional place in the Peak District’s calendar.
“In spite of a challenging couple of years, the festival has retained its vibrancy and charm.
“We anticipate this year’s being back to its best. We look forward to welcoming traders and visitors back to Tideswell to taste the fabulous local food and entertainment.”
Some of the stalls on offer at last year’s event included those selling cakes, coffee, cheese, pies, preserves and pasties.
A number of hot dishes and cuisines were also available, such as crepes, Caribbean, Thai, Indian and Cypriot food, as well as British burgers and sausages. Julia added: “The festival is a labour of love by many Tideswell volunteers.
“It’s intended as an enjoyable way to showcase our fantastic village, and to support local businesses – which is more important than ever after a tough two years. This is a real community event, with surplus funds supporting local projects.
“It’s a whole day of activity suitable for everyone, and our volunteer marshals look forward to welcoming people from far and wide. They will be on hand throughout the day.”
The Tideswell Makers’ Market, featuring a number of local crafts people and makers, which was first established in 2017, will also be held on the same day, in and around St John The Baptist Church.
In spite of a challenging couple of years, the festival has retained its vibrancy and charm.
Organiser Julia Fell