Tuck into another helping of food show
THE 2016 Southport Food and Drink festival is set to be the biggest and best yet, according to organisers.
This year the festival celebrates its 10th birthday and thousands of people are expected to flock through the gates at Victoria Park.
The three-day festival takes place on June 3-5 and is 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, curry, pizza, burritos and buffalo wings.
The event will open on Friday with afternoon tea which will be a selection of fine teas, sandwiches, open rolls, freshly baked 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.
Miss Lancashire, Miss Preston and Miss North West will all be donning tea dresses and talking to the crowds at the tea on Friday.
Joanne Dwyer from Sefton Council’s tourism department said: “We’re really excited to be celebrating our tenth year and we think the afternoon tea we’re organising will be especially popular.
“This year we have a lot more food vendors and more produce sellers, we’ve expanded the site quite significantly.
“We’ve got more drink sellers this year too, from cocktails to coffee and gin to beer we’ve got all bases covered.
“The children’s festival has also been significantly expanded, so both little ones and their parents are catered for “And best of all it’s all free!” There will also be a variety of local and regional produce, fresh and ready for visitors to take away and enjoy at home.
The entertainment marquee is also back this year, with local bands and artists set to per- form over the weekend.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Cabinet Member Regeneration and Skills, said: “Once again we are expecting thousands of foodie fans to flock to Victoria Park over the three days to sample some amazing food, drink and entertainment.
“This is just the start of an extensive events programme taking place across Sefton throughout the year.”