Thousands of visitors will return to Victoria Park this weekend for the Southport Food & Drink Festival that was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Tony McDonough reports

Southport Food & Drink Festival will return this weekend for the first time since 2019.

Running from Friday, September 3, to Sunday, September 5, the popular three-day event features food vendors, pop up drink stalls and live entertainment. It will see thousands of visitors return to Victoria Park following the cancellation due to COVID in 2020.

Described as a ‘foodies paradise’, Southport Food and Drink Festival is a free, family-friendly event. This year it features a host of tantalising takeaways to suite all tastes – including chutneys, cheeses and churros, paella, pies and spiral fries, gourmet burgers, hot wings and cold, local dairy ice cream.

Organised in partnership with Victoria Park Events, this year’s festival will also feature a complimentary, autumn-themed home and garden experience for visitors to enjoy.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “We know there’s a huge appetite for the popular Southport Food & Drink Festival so people will be delighted it finally returning this weekend.

“Our teams have worked hard to ensure we can host a safe and enjoyable bumper weekend of the best food, drink and much more for thousands of visitors. Foodie fans will love the hand-picked selection of the region’s most passionate producers, all of whom will be bringing their wares to the festival.

“You can also keep your little ones entertained with a free Children’s Festival, along with arts and crafts, magic shows, storytelling and sports workshops. It’s guaranteed to be a fantastic weekend and we want as many people as possible to come along and enjoy the fun.”

For more information about the 2021 Southport Food & Drink Festival, click here.