The largest free food and drink festival in the region will be held in Burnham-On-Sea today (Saturday, 25th May) when the town centre hosts its 14th event.
Burnham’s town centre will be filled with the sights and smells of dozens of food and drink retailers lining the streets of the town for eat:Burnham-On-Sea from 10am-5pm.
This award-winning local success story has over 100 of the region’s finest food and drink producers alongside a wide variety of free entertainment.
Burnham-On-Sea.com has spoken to the organisers, pictured, to get the latest on what’s planned.
Bev Milner Simonds, co-organiser, said: “We are really pleased with the line-up of traders and the great range of festival activities planned for our 14th festival in Burnham.”
“The positivity from visitors and local businesses about this festival spurs us on to get more creative and include more and more free elements.”
“This wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsors and partners and of course our volunteer stewards.”
“I’m looking forward to welcoming the primary producers who help us tell the story of the connection between the countryside that surrounds us, food production and the amazing range of produce on sale at the festival.”
Sarah Milner Simonds, co-organiser, added: “We have made a few small changes this time like tweaking our opening times to 10am – 5pm, having more entertainment, grouping the street food into three areas, increasing the number of free from and vegan choices available and restricting the total number of producers to give them all the best possible chance of a great days trade.”
“There will be more free entertainment including Bollywood dancing, choirs, drummers, circus skills, Punch & Judy show and a face painter alongside our music stage with local DJ Court Production in the heart of the festival who will be providing a laid-back soundtrack to the day.”
Over 100 traders set to fill town centre
The team has assembled some outstanding food and drink producers and just over 100 will be celebrating the best of the region on the day.
Expect farmers’ markets favourites like high quality beef & lamb, beers and cheeses alongside speciality teas, chocolates, chilli oils and Local ice cream.
There will be an impressive range of street food available, with global flavours made from local ingredients. The festival is spread over College Street, High Street, Victoria Street and Princess Street and also includes the Methodist Church, Baptist Church Hall and Princes Theatre.
The Cook School will be in the the Methodist Church, alongside producers. It is free and hosted by Delicious in Taunton’s Chrissie Godfrey.
She will be leading a hands on workshop for you to make your dishes inspired by Italy and using local ingredients. There will be lots of opportunities to taste, adjust, share and discuss.  All the recipes are available for you to take home with you afterwards.  The classes are suitable for adults and families with children aged 8+, they are vegan and you can drop in between 10.30 – 12.30, and 1.30 – 3.30 to have a go.
Screen printing workshop with Zara Emily will provide a great opportunity to have a go at screen printing and create your own bespoke masterpiece. Zara Emily runs a print workshop in Worle and she will be setting up in The Baptist Church for the day and letting you loose with some bold colours and designs.
There is a small charge for the tote bags, but we think the experience of having a go and having something to take all the food festival goodies home is worthwhile.
Suitable for adults and families with children aged 8+. Hosted by Zara Emily. Zara has her own studio in Worle where she creates a hand printed gift range and teaches others the skills to screen print.
Family Entertainment
In addition to Punch & Judy, there will be a massive John Deere tractor from Smart Agriculture, strolling entertainment, music and more, all free of charge.
The organisers have partnered with North Somerset Council and Griffin Cycles to offer incentives to cyclists to dust off their bikes and cycle into the festival.
There is dedicated cycle parking outside the Princess Theatre and free rucksack covers for anyone riding in. Griffin Cycles will also offer a free cycle check up to make sure you are riding safely.
Sustainability
The organisers are reminding visitors to make some preparations ahead of the festival.
Bev told us: “We know that the festival is a popular event in the local calendar and that the area around the festival can get very congested with traffic. We are working with Travelwest and Buses of Somerset to promote walking, cycling or taking the bus into the festival. We hope people, will take advantage of the good weather and many people will choose to walk or cycle into the festival.”
Sarah added: “We are encouraging visitors to make a greener travel choice and to remember to bring their own shopping bags, or panniers if they are cycling in.”
