St Albans Feastival: thousands turn up for City Centre street party despite downpours
Thousands of people braved challenging weather to enjoy a six-hour-long street party that celebrated the District’s food and drink businesses.
They refused to let occasional showers spoil the fun at the St Albans Feastival, a family-friendly event organised by St Albans City and District Council with the support of partners.
St Peter’s Street was closed to traffic for the event on Sunday 22 September which was kicked off by the Mayor, Councillor Jamie Day, with the help of Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jenni Murray, and the Rev Mark Dearnley of St Peter’s Church
Among the many attractions were around 100 market stalls offering an astonishing variety of food and drink products from local businesses.
There was also a live cookery theatre, sponsored by SA Law, featuring displays of culinary skills by local chefs.
Live music was provided on a stage, sponsored by St Albans City Centre BID. There were many free interactive activities including edible flower growing, traditional wooden games, crazy golf and a football shoot-out.
To make the event accessible, British Sign Language interpreters were at the cookery stage and other locations to help communicate activities. There were accessible viewing zones, reserved seating for those less able to stand and accessible toilets.
Chris Traill, the Council’s Strategic Director for Community and Place Delivery, said:
Congratulations to all those who were not put off by the weather and turned up in their thousands. I’m sure they will agree that it was worth it.
The rain, which unfortunately was torrential at one point, didn’t dampen their spirits and the crowds created the Feastival’s usual thrilling atmosphere.
Our events team anticipated the conditions and had arranged for many of the activities to be sheltered by gazebos.
As a Council, we are committed to making events accessible to all and measures were taken to ensure that was very much the case.
The District’s hospitality businesses are vital to the local economy and it was heartening to see so many people out there sampling many of their products.
Vivien Cannon, BID Manager, said:
Rain didn’t stop play. Well done to all the stall holders and event delivery team ensuring visitors were welcomed to yet another successful Feastival event.
Marilyn Bell, Partner and Head of Family at SA Law, said:
The St Albans Food and Drink Festival is a highlight for the SA Law team every year.
Despite the unfortunate downpour yesterday, the event was well organised, well-attended, and a delight to be a part of. It was great to see a wide range of food being offered, activities for all ages, as well as a great turnout at the Cookery Theatre where local chefs gave live demonstrations of their excellent recipes.
We are proud to support the Council and the wonderful community events they put on.
The event is part funded by the Government’s UK Prosperity Fund which awarded the District’s community events team £210,000 over three years.
Photos: scenes from the 2024 St Albans Feastival by Stephanie Belton including, first below, Cllr Jamie Day, Mayor of St Albans City and District, centre, with Cllr Jenni Murray, Deputy Mayor, and the Rev Mark Dearnley.
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.
Note to Editors:
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK, investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
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