Thousands attend St Albans Feastival
Thousands of people shrugged off rain showers to enjoy a spectacular six-hour street party – the St Albans Feastival.
The City Centre was closed to traffic for the free-to-attend event, a showcase for the District’s booming food and drink industry.
Among the attractions were around 90 stalls selling a wide range of takeaway food, craft beers, gins, honey, cheeses and other goods with many from local producers.
There was also a cookery theatre featuring demonstrations of culinary skills by the District’s finest chefs, the Brooklyn Brewery Bus and pop-up restaurants.
Live music was provided by some of the District’s most talented musicians while there was plenty of children’s activities including a teddy bears picnic area.
The Feastival is one of the highlights of the St Albans Food and Drink Festival which runs until Sunday 6 October.
Now in its 12th year, the Festival is organised by St Albans City and District Council with the help of a steering group.
This year, the Festival is taking a step away from single-use plastics and encouraging businesses to use alternative containers made of recyclable material.
Visitors to the Feastival were urged to dispose of their rubbish in the correct recycling bins that were positioned near stalls.
Councillor Mandy McNeil, Portfolio Holder for Business, Culture and Tourism, said:
I was working with several fellow Councillors, Council Officers and volunteers to man the recycling stations and we were amazed at the size of the Feastival crowds that braved the weather.
The new recycling stations were well received. Resident feedback was very favourable and having manned recycling stations helped raise awareness of the need to step away from single use plastic and where our waste goes. We had lots of children coming up to the bins and being very diligent in encouraging their parents to recycle.
People were determined the rain wasn’t going to dampen their spirts and they all seemed to be having a great time, sampling the best that the District’s food and drink industry has to offer.
It is clear that the Feastival is one of the most popular City Centre events of the year and it also helps the local economy by bringing in lots of visitors who were spending money in the shops as well as at the Feastival stalls. People told us that they were impressed by the quality and variety of what the District offers. I can’t wait until next year.
Community station Radio Verulam 92.6FM had a stall at the event from where they broadcast live.
Among other Festival highlights is Gin & Jazz, an evening of music as well as food and drink tastings in George Street on Friday 4 October.
A vegan street market will be staged on St Peter’s Street on Sunday 6 October, bringing the Festival to a close.
More information about the Feastival and a full list of Festival events including details about tickets and prices can be found here: www.enjoystalbans.com/things-to-do/st-albans-food-and-drink-festival/.
Councillor contact:
Mandy McNeil,
Portfolio Holder for Business,
Culture and Tourism
Email: cllr.m.mcneil@councillor.stalbans.gov.uk
Tel: 07854-198999.
Media contact:
John McJannet,
Principal Communications Officer
Tel: 01727 819533
Email: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.