Thousands enjoy the spectacular St Albans Feastival
Thousands of people sampled the main course of the Enjoy St Albans Food and Drink Festival – a six-hour-long street party.
The City Centre was closed to traffic for the fun event known as the St Albans Feastival on Sunday 24 September.
Attractions included around 100 market stalls selling a vast variety of food and drink products, live music and street entertainers.
There was also a create and play zone with free arts and crafts including seed planting by Carpenter’s Nursery and an illustrations display and activity by the Samuel Ryder Academy.
The inclusive event used a British Sign Language interpreter at the cookery theatre and provided accessible viewing zones as well as a community safety zone, a quiet spot where people could sit and take time out from the action.
Among the crowds was the Mayor of St Albans City and District, Councillor Anthony Rowlands, who toured the stalls and spoke to many of the traders and entertainers.
The Feastival was centred on St Peters Street with the party starting at noon and continuing until 6pm.
Now in its 15th year, it was organised by St Albans City and District Council, supported by SA Law and St Albans BID - City Centre Businesses. It is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Its aim is to promote all aspects of the District’s important food and drink industry.
Councillor Lynn Cunningham, Lead Councillor for Events, said:
Once again, the St Albans Feastival gave thousands of people a fantastic and memorable day out.
The turn-out was amazing as our residents as well as visitors from outside the District took up the opportunity to experience the best of our local food and drink businesses.
Our restaurants, cafes, pubs, market stalls and their suppliers are of immense importance to the local economy, attracting visitors, generating revenue and providing jobs.
The St Albans Feastival is a great way for us to celebrate the achievements of these magnificent hospitality businesses and I would like to thank all those involved in delivering this engaging event.
Vivien Cannon of St Albans BID said:
The event celebrated and highlighted our hospitality industry; nationally, this sector is up against it in this economic climate.
Our St Albans’ ‘foodie’ reputation was once again supported and enhanced by the Feastival. Well done to the Council team who organised the event and we look forward to the next stage, celebrating the winners of the Food and Drink Awards.
Picture: scene from the 2023 St Albans Feastival by Stephanie Belton.
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.
