Harpenden Town Council is delighted to announce the return of the Harpenden Food and Drink Festival on Saturday 16th September, 12-6pm. This exciting event is always hugely popular, bringing vibrancy and energy to the Town, showcasing the very best of food and drink.

This year’s Festival promises to be another fantastic day for all; thousands of people are expected to attend the event which will be situated across the Town Centre and Harpenden Common.

Not only will the occasion include more than 70 street food and fresh market produce stalls, it will also feature several bar areas, ferret racing, street entertainment, outdoor community seating areas, a DJ on the Concourse, a live Music Stage and the ever popular Children’s Zone.

Harpenden Town Mayor, Cllr Fiona Gaskell said: “The Harpenden Food and Drink Festival presents an opportunity to enjoy some exceptional food and drinks in Harpenden’s wonderful Town Centre and Common, of which we are so proud. We are delighted that so many local businesses will be taking part together with a diverse range of entertainment. We look forward to welcoming residents and visitors of all ages to this exciting Festival.”

New for 2023 is the Orange Bar, specialising in summer cocktails, and a fabulous range of street entertainment. Regular visitors to the event will also notice that the Beer Festival will be situated on Harpenden Common, bringing it to the hub of the Festival.

The exciting Children’s Zone will include Cha Char Chimps, award winning interactive musical fun show, Addiventure Play, ArtShed and FizzBug providing arts, crafts and cake and biscuit decorating, and St Albans Bouncy Castle Soft Play will provide further soft play.

The Cookery Theatre, an exciting demonstration stage featuring exceptionally talented guest Chefs, returns and will provide the perfect opportunity to pick recipes, tips and watch the masters at work. The Cookery Theatre line up includes:

• 12noon Shaanaaz Ayub: Celebrity Chef and author which she manages around her law career, Shaanaaz will be cooking her outstanding vegetable pakora wrap and chilli paneer.
• 1pm Patti Sloley: Returning to the Festival, we’re delighted to welcome back Patti’s exciting creations and her
• infections enthusiasm and energy. She’ll be cooking black eye beans with salted cod and oven baked plantain.
• 2pm Daniel Fletcher, Vinsanto: Simple recipes using fresh seasonal ingredients from this local favourite food and wine enthusiast.
• 3pm Matt Dreyer, Bar Azita: A cocktail masterclass from Harpenden’s premier cocktail mixologist.
• 4pm Oliver Denley, Brad & Dills: Harpenden’s coffee expert demonstrating aeropress and pour over coffee.
• 5pm Ben Harris: Ben returns as the Cookery Theatre’s Compère, once again bringing creativity and engaging demonstrations and advice to our stage.

Bring your family and friends along for a magnificent day in Harpenden!

Further information about this event, including the event programme, is available on the Harpenden Town Council website: www.harpenden.gov.uk

Free parking will be available at the Station Car Parks for the duration of the event, with thanks to Thameslink.

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