Festival shows Bolton at its best as community comes together

Visitors experienced Bolton at its very best with a warm, welcoming and friendly atmosphere across the three days.

Opening was postponed after Storm Lilian battered the town centre in the early hours of Friday morning, leaving stalls and gazebos damaged.

Despite the setback, council staff, supporters, sponsors and the community worked into the early hours to make sure the site was ready for Saturday morning.

Festival favourite Ainsley Harriott praised the spirit and resilience of Bolton as he toured the stalls and met with some of the local traders impacted by Friday’s closure.

Ainsley said: “One of the reasons I come to Bolton again, and again and again is because of the people.

“I often get asked what I would cook for my ideal dinner party and the truth is that it doesn’t really matter as long as you have great company, and that’s what you always get here in Bolton.

“Every time I come back here it’s the warmth and the joy. People just want to give something back, and that’s what you want as a cook.”

Now in its 19th year, the award-winning Bolton Food and Drink Festival is famous for its celebrity chef demos, music stages, and 200 market stalls selling the best local produce.

Among the new additions for 2024 was the Festival Garden which promoted sustainability, health and wellbeing.

Young people learned about nature, healthy eating and planting vegetables, all linked to this year’s theme of “Let’s Grow”.

Growing the next generation was a key focus of the event, with the Holiday Activities Fund providing free children’s activities, cooking sessions and entertainment.

One of the reasons I come to Bolton again, and again and again is because of the people.

The event also helps grow the local economy with traders and local businesses enjoying a successful weekend during Bolton’s busiest time of year.

The growth of the town centre was on display with developers including headline Sponsors Watson Homes sharing information about their many ongoing regeneration projects.

Watson’s Church Wharf development is set to deliver more than 400 new town centre homes alongside a new hotel in Bolton.

Attracting more people to live, visit and work in the town centre will help create the excitement and vibrancy of festival weekend all year round.

Mike Watson, director at Watson:

“As headline sponsor of the Bolton Food and Drink Festival this year, we were thrilled with the event’s success.

“We were delighted to see so many families at our stand in Victoria Square, participating in our School Sustainability Competition, enjoying the free music sessions, and making use of our construction-themed outdoor play area.

“The festival truly showcased Bolton’s community spirit, and we’re grateful to have been a part of it.

“It’s events like these that reinforce our commitment to building in Bolton and contributing to its vibrant future.”

The festival also marked a key milestone in Bolton’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

The borough continues to grow its reputation as a hotbed for the performing arts, as a leading film location and a centre for creative industries.

This year’s Food and Drink Festival showed without doubt that nobody can put on a show like Bolton.

Major events like the Food and Drink Festival are a key part of this strategy, helping bring more people into the borough and supporting the local economy.

Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Nick Peel, said:

“Culture is at the heart of everything we do here, and this year’s Food and Drink Festival showed without doubt that nobody can put on a show like Bolton.

“We are working hard to transform our town centre, and that goes beyond the many regeneration projects that are already underway.

“The transformation is also about cultural change, creating a vibrant place where people are proud to live and excited about visiting.

“Every year, this festival shows Bolton at its very best and we are already looking forward to our 20th anniversary next year.”