Full line-up announced for return of Accrington food festival

Excitement is building ahead of the free-to-attend 2024 Accrington Food Festival, which will take place in Accrington Town Centre on Saturday 1st June (10am-4pm).

The event will feature a star studded main cooking demonstration area on Broadway including TV and Michelin Star chef, Glynn Purnell, Netflix’s Molly Robbins who returns to compere the main stage and local chef Paul Fox, owner of The Crafty Fox in Accrington.

Glynn will be cooking a special fish-based dish at 11:30am, Paul will be dishing up a treat at 2:30pm, while Molly will be showcasing her cake decorating skills at both 10:30am and 3pm.

Also on Broadway will be a fantastic continental food market featuring cuisine from Morocco, Belgium, India and many more. The continental market will also be open on Friday 31st May between 10am and 4pm.

Plus there will be two fairground rides between 10am and 12pm, which will be free of charge for U12s. 

On Blackburn Road, there will be an amazing range of food, drink and craft stalls for visitors to visit including cheese, pizza, ice cream, coffee, gin, Caribbean food and much more.

There will also be an incredible display of Accrington Market traders on the town square in the Accrington Market pods. Make sure you check them out for bread, fish, fruit and veg, plus more!

Into the Arndale and a magnificent display of flags from around the world will be on display to celebrate the diversity and culture of Hyndburn, with visitors to the Food Festival encouraged to check it out and take a selfie.

The Arndale will also be home to a special giveaway at 2pm, with Pendle Hill Properties set to give out 250 Hershey bars and toy parachute men to Under 12s, as a commemoration to the Candy Bomber.

That is part of a full day of activities to make the 80th anniversary of D-Day, headlined by a war re-enactment at 1pm in the grounds of St James’ Church, which will feature a performance from the “mad piper” and a lone piper from the world famous Accrington Pipe Band.

A brand new addition to the Accrington Food Festival will be a free Spitfire Simulator Experience. Located on Broadway, the attraction is open to everyone aged 10 and above (Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult), and will give visitors the chance to take off and land, fly over Dover, France or London, plus much more!

Sponsored by Hyndburn Borough Council, Vita Accrington, iMEP International Music Event Production, Sundown Solutions and Financial Affairs, the event will also see roaming performances from the fantastic 1940s singers Christoper and the Robins, with plenty of opportunities to have a dance and a sing-a-long throughout the day. #AmazingAccrington are also encouraging visitors and re-enactors to attend in 1940s dress to create a 1940s scene as part of the commemorations. 

Friday 31st May will also see a special ‘Taste of Hyndburn’ bus tour, which will be hosted by Paul Fox and will see local business leaders enjoy a culinary journey by visiting food outlets around the borough including: The Crafty Fox and 2 Sisters Café & Bistro in Accrington; Café William in Altham; Brie Mine and Holy Cannoli in Great Harwood; and the recently crowned “best pub in Lancashire” The Britannia in Oswaldtwistle. 

Murray Dawson, Chair of #AmazingAccrington, said: “We are ready and raring to go for another incredible Accrington Food & Drink Festival.

“The line-up is very exciting and we feel that we have provided something for all the family. With delicious food, great entertainment and a special commemoration of D-Day, we have a jam packed day of activities.”

Leader of the Council, Councillor Munsif Dad, said: “The Accrington Food & Drink Festival is one of the best events of the year and one that we all look forward to. There is always a real buzz around the town on Food Festival day and we are excited to be part of it.”

Keep up to date with the latest updates and announcements on the event by visiting https://www.amazingaccrington.co.uk/