A fabulous three day feast saw tens of thousands of people pack out Southport over the weekend for the 2024 Food & Drink Festival.

Southport’s Victoria Park was transformed into a culinary melting pot of food and drink from around the world much to the delight of a record crowd between Friday May 31^st and Sunday June 2^nd.

Families from across the North of England packed out the park from start to finish with more than 100  food, drink and craft produce stalls, plus amazing live music giving them a weekend to remember.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills said: “I cannot thank our Tourism team and partners enough for putting on an incredible free to enter food & drink festival.

“Victoria Park was packed out with people enjoying everything the festival had to offer and it was clear to see that Southport as a town felt a hugely beneficial economic impact from the three days.

“Lord Street in particular was alive with visitors and inside the festival itself was an absolute joy to behold. Tens of thousands of families and visitors with massive smiles on their faces having just enjoyed a delicious treat from any one of the marvellous traders we welcomed.

“It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces among those traders with many of the Borough’s own businesses working hard to keep so many people fed and watered!

“Not only is the Food & Drink Festival a vital economic boost to Southport but it also provides a perfect platform for many small and independent businesses to reach customers far and wide.

“The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly complimentary and I can’t wait for next year already.”

Organised by Sefton Council’s hard working Tourism department, the annual Southport Food and Drink Festival is the first of three huge Local Authority led entertainment events taking place in 2024.

While Victoria Park enjoys a brief respite, the same cannot be said for the Local Authority’s Tourism department.

Cllr Lappin added: “All of that energy, tireless work and planning now turns to the Southport Air Show this coming July and tickets are already on sale so make sure you get your hands on them as soon as you can.

“While there will be lots to enjoy in the air including the Red Arrows on both days, there’s a full programme of activities on the ground too. With flight simulators and static aircraft and military vehicles to explore, and so much more, it's a fantastic family day out.”

For further information, tickets and more for any of Sefton’s flagship tourism events, please visit www.visitsouthport.com