10th annual food festival returns

The 10th annual Newtown Food Festival is back this weekend with a range of exhibitors, food, music and more - plus free parking at Back Lane Car Park.

The Newtown Food Festival, a much-loved local event, is back for its 10th year, bringing together food lovers, families, and the community for a weekend of culinary delights, live music, and family-friendly activities.

Taking place between September 7th and 8th, this year's festival promises to be the biggest and best yet, held in the Newtown Town Hall Grounds.

In a first for the festival, organisers are excited to offer free parking at Back Lane Car Park throughout the weekend. This addition is aimed at making the festival more accessible to everyone, encouraging even more people to enjoy the fantastic lineup of food, drink, and entertainment without worrying about parking costs.

The festival will showcase an impressive variety of food and drink vendors, offering everything from gourmet street food to handmade artisan products. Attendees can also explore stalls from local charities and community groups, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Food enthusiasts can look forward to live cooking demonstrations by top chefs, including a special appearance by Andrew Birch, Head Chef at Checkers. Local favorites like the Newtown Community Cafe will also share their culinary tips, with additional presentations on brain-boosting foods.

Entertainment will fill the air with diverse musical performances, featuring youth music, choirs, and solo artists like Tommy Mills, capped off by the lively beats of BC All Ska. The festivities will continue until midnight on Saturday, ensuring a full day of fun.

For families, the Children’s Village offers a wide range of activities, including a vibrant Mad Hatters Tea Party, bushcraft sessions, circus skills workshops, and creative crafts like vegetable printing.

The popular festival trail competition also returns, now extending into the town center with the chance to win exciting prizes.

For a full schedule and more details, visit www.newtownfoodfestival.org.uk or download the festival app, available on iOS and Android.