Excitement builds for bumper River & Food Festival

EXCITEMENT is building for this year’s Melksham River & Food Festival – which promises to be bigger than ever, with an abundance of food stalls, which will be present on both days of the festival, and all the usual fun on the river.

Visitors can wander amongst stalls offering hot food, artisan foods, craft ales, ciders, spirits, local crafts and much more.

In the playing field there will be fun for people of all ages with live music, a climbing wall, cooking demonstrations in the ‘Leekes Country Kitchen Marquee’, the Cooper Tires’ wire challenge, face painting and a fairground.

On the river the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust will be offering relaxing boat rides along the River Avon. Whilst for those feeling more adventurous, the Wiltshire Youth Canoe Club will be offering the chance to try canoeing.

Visitors can also look forward to the traditional thrilling raft race along the river and the infamous chilli eating contest – who will be brave enough this year to take on the fiery challenge?

Chair of the organising committee, Adrienne Westbrook said, “We’re getting more and more excited for the festival as the weekend gets closer. We have 75 stalls booked, with most of them taking part on both of the two days of the festival. The support that we have had from stall holders has been amazing. It’s all coming together!

“I’m looking forward to seeing the Melksham community come together to take boat trips along the river, enjoy the cooking demonstrations, and cheer on the brave competitors in the chilli-eating competition!

“Hopefully the weather holds and people can have a drink and enjoy the food in the sunshine in the beautiful King George V playing field.”