Bolton Food and Drink Festival

August bank holiday weekend saw the return of Bolton's vibrant Food and Drink Festival. The event gets more popular every year, with an estimated 267,000 visitors sampling what was on offer this time around... and it wasn't hard to see why! Granted, we were lucky with the weather, but with 200 stalls, top chefs such as Ainsley Harriott and James Martin, superb live local music... in addition to the sunshine... the atmosphere was brilliant. 

There were stalls catering to every taste... including those of our furry friends! Posh dog treats, artisan tea and coffee, a huge variety of ciders and food specialities from all over the world were just a portion of what was on offer. The air was filled with an array of delicious smells... including the mouthwatering scent of sweet and tempting Spanish style churros... a smell that was particularly inviting! Manchester's legendary burger joint, Almost Famous, even made an appearance and sold epic-looking burgers from a cool and eye-catching van. Much to our excitement, Bolton's beloved Carr's Pasties (a company that has been feeding Boltonians since 1938) were showcasing two new flavours, lamb vindaloo and cheese and jalapeño. We can confirm that the cheese and jalapeño offering was delicious and had just the right amount of spice. 

We savoured our pasties to the mellow sound of Moody Elf, one of the bands/musicians performing over the weekend. Others included The Jade Assembly, Bolton's rock and roll foursome, and Tommy Holland, acclaimed Elvis tribute act and winner of the King of Britain 2017. The huge variety of food and drink on offer was matched by the broad array of acts performing! 

There really was something for everyone, and all ages were catered for...  the Mad Hatters Tea Party was a food and fun filled affair for kids at the Octagon Theatre, and for adults there were plenty of wine and beer tasting opportunities! 

In recent years Bolton town centre, like many British high streets, has seen several of its oldest and most iconic shops and businesses close. The Food and Drink Festival breathes life back into the town and encourages both residents and visitors to appreciate what it does have... Bolton's magnificent Le Mans Crescent looked fabulous - brimming with people and adorned with bunting. The festival celebrated both local and international cultures and cuisines, which in turn demonstrated how vibrant and multicultural today's Britain is. 

Make sure you look out for food and drink festivals near you!