Taste Cumbria is back in Cockermouth this weekend for more food, drink and family fun - 15 years on from where the festival started.
The event kicks off with a new attraction on Friday night, 26 September. The Market Place Chill Out will see hot food, cold drinks and live music from vocalist Luke Matear from 7pm to 9pm.
Then the full festival takes place from 10am on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September across four locations. All the producers’ stalls and the Demo Stage will be on Main Street, the ever-popular Street Party takes place on Market Place, there will be more attractions at the newly-reopened Jennings Brewery, while the festival fairground will be on Memorial Gardens Car Park.
There will be two music stages, in Market Place and at Jennings, plus street theatre, a caricaturist, the hot food court, picnic areas and fairground rides. Add in a great line-up of experts cooking up some tasty dishes, Q&A sessions at the Brewery, beers from Jennings and Crooked River with al fresco bars there and in Market Place, and this promises to be another great weekend.
There are two sell-out comedy gigs too. Comic Matt Reed will host Come and Get Your Tea on the Demo Stage on Saturday afternoon, asking local chefs and influencers about their best – and worst – foodie memories. The Cockermouth Rugby Club is the venue for the Comedy Night with four great faces from the regional circuit.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“It is fantastic to see how far Cockermouth and Taste Cumbria have come since the devastation caused by the floods of 2009 sparked the idea for these festivals.
“Not only do they give locals and visitors alike a great reason to visit Cumberland, they bring millions of pounds into the economy, which is good for all of us. Please go along and support the great businesses, and have a great day out!”
The Taste Cumbria festivals are organised by Cumberland Council and the sponsors and supporters for this event are Cockermouth Town Council, The Coffee Kitchen Bakery, Milburns Solicitors and Rock With.
A park-and-walk is available from land at the rear of the Lakes Home Centre, Low Road, for visitors to the festival.
This event will be followed by Taste Carlisle on 1 and 2 November and Taste Christmas, back in Cockermouth, on 6 and 7 December.
Find out more at www.tastecumbria.co.uk