A total of 412,330 people visited the Bolton Food and Drink Festival this year, as residents and visitors celebrated the 21st birthday of the UK’s most popular food festival.
Sunday proved the busiest day of the event, with Monday and Saturday also attracting huge crowds.
Turnout was impressive despite Met Office weather warnings forecasting thunderstorms across the Bank Holiday Weekend. Those who braved the journey were rewarded with much better-than-expected conditions and a real festival atmosphere throughout the town centre.
This year’s festival featured celebrity chefs, live entertainment, family activities, artisan markets and food and drink traders from across the region, drawing visitors from far beyond the borough and reinforcing Bolton’s reputation as a destination for major events.
Councillor Debbie Newall, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture said “Reaching our 21st year is a fantastic milestone for the Bolton Food and Drink Festival, and to welcome more than 412,000 visitors is a tremendous achievement. What makes this event so special is the way our communities come together to make it happen. From local businesses and traders to volunteers, partners, performers and council staff, it is a real team effort.
“The festival continues to be one of the highlights of our events calendar, bringing people together, supporting our town centre and creating lasting memories for visitors.”
Tiago Silva, owner of Th3 Guys Bakers and Baristas, a local business who had a stall at the festival said “A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at Bolton Food and Drink Festival. We loved seeing so many familiar faces, meeting new ones and serving you all plenty of pasteis de nata! Your support means so much to us. Bolton you were amazing!”.
Market traders, including many Bolton-based businesses, reported strong sales across all four days with many selling out of stock. As well as the business generated for stall holders, the four-day event also delivers a significant boost to local businesses and hospitality venues.
The festival provides an opportunity to further our support of young people and families. The Holiday Activities and Food Activities Programme (HAF) which supports families on benefit related free school meals provided cooking sessions to 400 young people and 150 young people were supported through youth diversion work.
Around 2000 young people visited the teen vault, and 1,000 young people, parents and carers took part in the mini golf over the four days.
