Bolton Food and Drink Festival made a triumphant return as thousands of visitors enjoyed a Bank Holiday Weekend full of food, live music and family fun.
After a year off, the 2021 festival more than made up for lost time with 120 artisan market traders, 36 free demonstrations from regional and local chefs, 88 music artists across two main stages, a seaside-themed kids’ zone and family entertainment across the whole site
Supported by headline sponsor Aldi, the festival also featured guided foraging, street entertainment, Queens Park with a picnic zone and a whole host of activities for everyone.
Visitors came from across the country to the award-winning festival which has a well-earned reputation as one of the best events of its kind anywhere in the UK.
Celebrity Chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli, who hosted a special gourmet lunch and delivered free cookery demonstrations in the Chef Zone, was delighted to see so many people in the town centre.
“I can’t believe how busy it is, I’m happy because it is a good sign of recovery,” he said.
“To have the festival back on for one day is good, but to manage it over four days is amazing, I don’t think anyone else has done this.
“It is an amazing location, I forgot how beautiful the place is.”
Bolton Council leader, Cllr Martyn Cox said:
“This year’s Bolton Food and Drink Festival was a huge success, and it was wonderful to see the town so busy again.
“I want to thank everyone who came out to support the festival, businesses and everyone who helped make it a Bank Holiday weekend to remember.
“We intend to make Bolton town centre a vibrant and exciting place to visit and great events like this have a huge part to play in helping us achieve that.”
Recognising we are not free of COVID-19 yet, the council made some changes to the festival this year to create more space for social distancing.
Teams in Victoria Square handed out testing kits and visitors could also take the opportunity to get vaccinated at Market Place Shopping Centre or at the vaccine bus in Queens Park.
This year’s Bolton Food and Drink Festival was a huge success, and it was wonderful to see the town so busy again.
Bolton Food and Drink Festival is made possible thanks to a wide range of sponsors and supporters.
These include headline sponsors Aldi and premier sponsors Warburtons, the nation’s favourite baker.
They are joined by main sponsors Bolton Wanderers Football Club and Bolton Council’s Community Champions programme.
Further support comes from event partners Robertson, Impression, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Bolton at Home, Carrs Pasties, Market Place Shopping Centre, the University of Bolton and City Fibre.