The countdown to this month’s seventh Burnham-On-Sea Food and Drink Festival got underway on Thursday night with a special launch party.
Local businesses and food retailers were among the 50 guests at the function, which was held at Calm Gourmet Coffee Bar in Burnham’s High Street, and provided a sneak peak of what will be happening.
The organisers, Bev and Sarah Milner Simonds, said this month’s festival on Saturday October 31st will be the biggest yet.
The autumn festival – which has a harvest theme – will see over 100 stalls set up around Burnham town centre selling a wide range of food and drink. The October event will also see the return of the Great Burnham Bake-Off baking competition, demo chefs, plus competitions and children’s entertainment.
Mayor Michael Clarke, who attended Thursday’s event, said: “It’s great to see the festival back again – it’s wonderful for visitors, businesses and residents alike. Bev and Sarah do such great work behind the scenes to put it on.”
Sarah Milner Simonds said: “We are looking forward to the seventh festival in the town centre on Saturday 31 October. With the support of our sponsors and grant giving bodies we are able to put on so much more than a large market with talks, demonstrations, workshops and competitions.”
“The launch party is an opportunity for us to thank those who help us bring the festival to life, including some of our volunteer stewards, photographers, supporters, demo chefs and judges.”
One of the traders, Richard Welland from Berrow Beef, added: “The festival has been great for us in promoting our business and products – we wouldn’t miss it. We are local to the festival and our locally reared beef and lamb will be available.”
And Mike Smith from Burnham-based Mike’s Pork, added: “We’ll be using the festival to launch a new sausage, a balsamic vinegar and carmelised red onion sausage, which will be our fifth variety. The festival is great to showcase our products.”
