Clitheroe Food Festival is making a highly-anticipated return this Saturday, August 12, with organizers expecting nearly 20,000 visitors to flock to the Ribble Valley town center. The festival, organized by Ribble Valley Borough Council, will showcase an array of food, drink, regional ingredients, and produce, with exhibitors from across Lancashire participating in the event.
This year, the festival will include a series of smaller events called Taste Fest, taking place throughout the week at different locations across the borough. These events encompass various activities such as a Tolkien Trail picnic, a Lancashire lunch at Foxfields Country Hotel, champagne and seafood tastings, and a ramble from the Spread Eagle pub in Sawley.
The main food festival in Clitheroe will take place on Saturday across several locations, including Clitheroe Market and the Holmes Mill food, drink, and entertainment complex. Attendees will have the opportunity to witness cheese-making, gin, wine, and beer-tasting sessions, pizza workshops, and an abundance of stalls and entertainment. With around 90 exhibitors participating, visitors can sample a wide range of culinary delights, including wild game, Biltong beef, cheeses, curries, fruit, and vegetables.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, the Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force’s renowned aerobatic display team, will perform a fly-over above Castle Street just before 2 pm on Saturday afternoon. This unique spectacle is expected to captivate thousands of festival-goers.
The council’s director of economic development and planning, Nicola Hopkins, expressed excitement about the Red Arrows’ participation, stating, We are looking forward to a fabulous festival topped by this unique spectacle, which will be witnessed by thousands of people in the town center.
The festival will not only be a treat for humans but also for pet dogs. Exhibitors such as Millie and Ruby’s Dog Bakery, winners of the Ribble Valley Business Award, will offer a selection of dog treats made with locally-sourced, organic ingredients.
Known for its vibrant food scene, Clitheroe Food Festival has traditionally spanned two days, but in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, last year’s event was condensed into a single-day affair. This format was generally deemed successful by the council.
While the festival is considered a key part of Ribble Valley Council’s tourist, economic, and marketing initiatives, concerns have been raised by independent organizer Dan Johnson of Crafty Vintage regarding the event’s cost to the council, collaboration with local businesses, tourism development in the Ribble Valley, and the use of consultants for a market town report. However, the council has defended its decisions and activities, emphasizing that food, drink, hospitality, and tourism are crucial facets of the local economy.
The Ribble Valley is not only focused on gastronomy and tourism but also on environmental sustainability. The region has witnessed a rise in climate and environmental consciousness, which resonates with food, farming, and tourism sectors. Initiatives such as Morecambe’s Eden Project and the Sustainable Tourism Symposium held in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty have underscored Lancashire’s commitment to eco-friendly forms of tourism.
With a wealth of culinary delights and the promise of a spectacular aerobatic display, the Clitheroe Food Festival is poised to offer a delightful experience for visitors. The free event is expected to draw in crowds from across Lancashire, promoting local businesses and boosting economic growth.
