Food lovers will be descending on Cockermouth this weekend for the flagship Taste Cumbria food extravaganza – and this year there’s an added bonus as it has merged with the Northbound music festival so one big party is guaranteed.
It’s the 10th Taste Cumbria event, running from Friday, September 27 to Sunday, September 29, and the organisers are making sure it will be bigger than ever.
As well as the big producers’ market, expert demonstrations and masterclasses and an exclusive pop-up restaurant in a tepee created by Ben Wilkinson of the Cottage in the Wood at Whinlatter, there is a new makers’ market which will showcase some of the county’s smaller artisan businesses. They all take place on Saturday and Sunday.
There’s also a Saturday night street party on Market Place offering friends and families the chance to picnic as they watch some live entertainment.
Away from the food, there’s a stand-up comedy night on Friday at Club Derwent on Main Street, while one of the highlights of the weekend will be the Northbound music stage in Memorial Gardens where the festival bar will be run by Workington’s Tractor Shed Brewing from 5pm on Friday and throughout Saturday and Sunday. There’ll also be a hot food court open from 10am on Saturday and Sunday serving everything from burgers and street food to curry and wood-fired pizza.
Cockermouth band Crow Dog will kickstart the whole weekend on Friday at 6pm. The music continues until 8pm, then bands will be on stage from noon until 8pm on Saturday, and from 12 o’clock until 4pm on Sunday. Most of Cockermouth’s pubs are getting involved with bands and DJs performing over the three nights.
There will also be plenty of children’s activities in the King’s Church Hub in Market Street, off Market Place, and on Memorial Gardens throughout the weekend.
Event organiser Anna Chippendale, of Allerdale Borough Council, said: “I can’t believe Taste Cumbria is 10 already!
“I’m so proud of the way it has grown over the years. I love a music festival too so it has been great to bring Taste Cumbria and Northbound together this year. I’d say to every visitor, make sure you visit Main Street and Market Place, and get over to Memorial Gardens, but don’t forget to explore the rest of the town too – there are eateries, shops and pubs galore.”
Councillor Mark Jenkinson, Allerdale Borough Council’s Executive Member for Economic Growth, added: “Taste Cumbria brings millions of pounds into the local economy and, as was intended when it was created to give Cockermouth a boost after the 2009 floods, it really puts this area on the map.
“As a council we’re focused on supporting our towns and their businesses so it’s great to see Taste Cumbria and Northbound will mean this is going to be a brilliant weekend with something for absolutely everybody.”
