Foodie lovers’ heaven at new family festival at Ripon

Local food and drink will be one of the highlights of a new country festival for families takes place next month at Lightwater Valley theme park near Ripon.

The Lightwater Valley Country Festival will celebrates all aspects of rural life with live music, nostalgia events, children’ activities, farming shows, craft stalls and street entertainers.

Mark Bainbridge, general manager of Lightwater Valley said: “We’re looking forward to hosting a showcase of what the region has to offer.

“From local speciality produce and craft stalls to local bands and children’s entertainment, the country festival really is the perfect family day out.”

Taking place from Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28, terms of food and drink, this new event offers visitors the chance to browse an array of stalls showcasing the best in local, seasonal and speciality food and drink.

Producers from far and wide will be selling everything from fresh ground spices and homemade pies to famous Bakewell Puddings and fine patisserie.

Visitors will also find lots of tasty hot food to feast on from a wide range of street food sellers including hog roasts, stone-baked pizzas, Indian delights, even lobster – with a mix of delicious cuisine there is something for all tastes!

Educational interesting and engaging the Meet the Producer Marquee has a programme of food themed talks, demos and competitions that the audience can get involved in.

Love Lobster a company that specialises in affordable tasty and always fresh lobster, will be delivering a number of fascinating demonstrations and ‘how to’ sessions throughout the day.

There will be a Man v Doughnut eating competitions - with a cash prize for the winner - a pizza dough tossing competition.

The full programme for The Lightwater Valley Country Festival is also rife with farming festivities including thesheep show, plastic milking cow, Lightwater Petting Zoo and bird of prey demonstrations for budding wildlife enthusiasts.

As for nostalgia, Visitors can step back in time when entering the Vintage Village and experience a wealth of vintage quirkiness.

Annie’s Vintage Teashop will be serving up a range of sumptuous cakes and tea (in proper china cups), breaking into song and performing impromptu dance routines throughout the day.

Escape to the vintage tea tent to relax and take in some live music and dance performances.

A programme of live entertainment from Swing Dance Leeds will include a range of styles; from jitterbug to jive with free lessons for visitors across the weekend.

The soothing sounds of The Vintage Vocalists will be treating visitors to songs from the war era to the swinging sixties with classics like White Cliffs of Dover and Stupid Cupid.

Visitors can also step outside to relive days gone by, where there will be vintage vehicles and a vintage tractor display.

In terms of music, more than 30 talented local bands will provide live entertainment.

For ticket information, visit www.lightwatervalley.co.uk/events/lightwater-valley-country-festival