Get involved with this year’s Food and River Festival

MELKSHAM Food and River Festival is calling for more attractions, stallholders, organisations and people to get involved with this year’s event, which will take place on the first weekend in September.

Adrienne Westbrook, chair of the Festival Committee said, “The Melksham Food and River Festival is a true community based event. We have plenty of space on the wonderful King George V Park, and we would love to welcome even more stallholders, particularly new and small businesses.

“For the first time, the committee is providing low-cost pitches, especially for start-ups without experience of festival trading, and we hope local entrepreneurs will take advantage of this marvelous opportunity to showcase their products at this terrific local event.”

Pitches are only available on the Sunday. Stallholders wanting to book one of these pitches at the early bird price of £15 should go to the new festival website www.melksham foodandriverfestival .co.uk.  Places are limited and the price will rise to £25 for bookings after 31st March.

“Anyone having a query about the pitches, or indeed any other festival matter, can contact me through the website or on 01225 704187.

“It will be wonderful once again to make use of our beautiful River Avon, as well as raising awareness of the amazing food and drink providers we have in our area.”

By popular demand, there will also be additional attractions on the Saturday to complement the River Adventure that was a great success last year, despite afternoon downpours. These will include hot food stalls, soft drinks, children’s activities, demonstrations, plus a bar and live music in the evening.

The highlight of Saturday’s River Adventure will be the Foxhangers Raft Race. Foxhangers Boat Building has agreed to sponsor this year’s race and the winning senior and junior  teams will win £100 and each member will get a commemorative medal.

Wiltshire Youth Canoe Club will again host its popular ‘try canoeing’ sessions as well as there being demonstrations and other water-based activities.

The festival committee has, as for previous festivals, arranged scenic public boat trips along the river, including the use of a wheelchair-accessible Wheelyboat.

Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team will bring a 7.3m high climbing wall to the festival for the first time;  the wall can accommodate four climbers simultaneously under the watchful eye of a qualified and experienced instructor – guaranteed fun for adults and children.

Adrienne added, “Sunday will be the main food and drinks day with over 70 stalls on the King George V Park, highlighting our excellent local producers, as well as free entertainment with local bands.

“We are planning an exciting music event for Saturday evening, and the chilli eating competition returns on the Sunday where competitors pit their taste buds against increasingly intense chillies supplied by Wiltshire Chilli Farm. Don’t miss the chance of being involved in one of the premier events in Melksham’s busy calendar!”

All information, prices, rules and entry forms are available on the new festival website at www.melk shamfoodandriverfestival .co.uk. For more information contact Adrienne on 01225 704187 or info@ melkshamfood&river      festival.co.uk.