The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
More than 2,000 people attended the new-look Spalding and South Holland Festival of Food and Drink.
The event, held in the car parks and area surrounding South Holland District Council’s offices, made a comeback after a three-year gap and, despite pouring rain on Sunday was hailed a success.
But Spalding Town Centre Manager Dennis Hannant has said some lessons have been learned from this year’s event, which could help to make next year’s festival even bigger and better.
This year, more than 50 stalls attended, with more than 45 of them food related. This also included ten stalls from Spalding’s own micro food industry, which it is hoped will be an even bigger feature next year.
Mr Hannant said, unfortunately three stallholders took the decision not to return for the festival’s second day, saying footfall was not good enough to warrant their return.
He said: “The majority of the feedback from customers and stall holders has been positive and suggests that the event was on balance a great success.
“Obviously some things could have been done differently and considering this was the festival management team’s first event, a few lessons have very definitely been learnt.
“Looking at the positives, a number of the stall holders have said want to come back next year.”
The event also boasted cookery demonstrations from local celebrity chef Rachel Green, Karl Sergison, of Sergi’s Delicatessen, Will Vernan, from the Chequers at Weston, and Loyd Luis, from 1498 Spice Affair.
Entertainment came from singer Meg McPartlin, ceilidh band Charlie’s Ant, acapella singing group Octovox and Mr Hannant.
