The Street Food Festival will return to Harrogate

Last year’s inaugural event, which was held over the August bank holiday, proved to be a massive success attracting 110,000 people over four days. Visitors were able to enjoy food from around the world provided by over 65 of the UK’s best Street Food traders, and entertainment included street performers, live music, children’s activities, a vintage and artisan marketplace, and a fine dining and craft beer teepee village.

Whilst feedback from the event was generally positive, a number of concerns were raised regarding damage to some of the grass areas in the gardens.

The council have worked with both the festival organiser and representatives from the Friends of Valley Gardens to recognise the concerns about damage that the event caused. Significant changes have been agreed to minimise the impact on the gardens for this and other future events.

The StrEat Food and Family Fun Festival will take place over the August bank holiday weekend (25-28 August 2017).

Councillor Michael Harrison, Harrogate Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction and Recycling said: “We are delighted that this community event will be returning for a second year. A local event, for local people, is exactly what we should be supporting. Last year’s event also enticed visitors to the town, who were able to enjoy the StrEat Food Festival, along with Harrogate’s many other attractions.

“The first StrEat Food festival was immensely popular and there was overwhelming demand for it to return. Whilst there were some concerns about damage to the grass, we believe we have addressed these issues and are pleased to announce that the event will be returning to our beautiful Valley Gardens this summer.”

Cathy McConaghy, StrEat Food Festival organiser said: “I am a local businesswoman and my community is extremely important to me. I love Harrogate and Valley Gardens, and I was thrilled to put on a unique event which was so well supported by the people of Harrogate and the district.

“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to put on the StrEat Food festival again this year and I am looking forward to organising an event which is even better than last year’s. I have already received great interest from street food traders and entertainers who would like to attend. The programme of activity will be even more amazing than last year and festival goers will be guaranteed a weekend to remember.”