The sun shone brightly for the first Taste Cumbria festival of 2024, back in Wigton for its fourth year.
Thousands of visitors browsed the producers’ market and tucked into hot food and cold drinks from the visiting traders and town’s eateries, as well as watching live music and some fun family entertainment. There were even magic shows, street art workshops, and a fairground for children to enjoy. New for this event was a Youth Market, with under-21s from across west Cumbria selling art, crafts, vintage clothing and upcycled furniture.
The festival began with a Wine and Cheese Night at The Barista tapas bar on High Street, with drinks pairings from Shill’s of Cockermouth, and cheese from the Torpenhow Dairy. Then on Saturday evening, ITV Border’s Kate Walby was in conversation with the best-selling author Helen Rebanks at Cornerstone Methodist Church. Helen was discussing her book, The Farmer’s Wife, and life on her farm in Matterdale.
The Taste Cumbria events are organised by Cumberland Council and Councillor Anne Quilter, Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said: “We were absolutely blessed with the weather for Taste Cumbria in Wigton and it really brought a smile to people’s faces.
“We’ve had such fabulous feedback from our festival goers and I can’t wait to see that continue as we head into our other events this year. We want our town centres to thrive and be filled with life and our events play a huge part in that. Thank you to everyone involved in Taste Cumbria Wigton, and to the public for all their support.”
The next Taste Cumbria event is the Taste of the Sea festival in Maryport on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 August, then the flagship Taste Cumbria festival in Cockermouth on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September. Taste Cumbria Christmas on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December, also in Cockermouth, will end the year. Plans are being made for additional dates in the north of the county – watch the website for details.
The partners for this year’s Taste Cumbria festival in Wigton are Wigton Town Council, NADT, Free for All Recycling, Rock With and Cornerstone Methodist Church. For this year’s full festival line-up, keep an eye online.
For more information about Taste Cumbria email ellie.jones@cumberland.gov.uk.