Colchester Food and Drink Festival enjoys successful day one in return to city

A POPULAR annual event made its return to a Colchester beauty spot and welcomed thousands of visitors for its 25th anniversary.

The Colchester Food and Drink Festival was back in Castle Park yesterday.

With a total of 140 stalls, thousands came to enjoy a variety of international dishes.

There were also local delicacies, from oysters to cheese, as well as cocktail bars, real ale bars, and prosecco bars.

Sunshine and perfect temperatures added to the summer festival feeling, joined by live entertainment, a silent disco and games.

This year’s event also saw a range of craft and entertainment stalls, and live music.

Team - Festival staff Kelly Littleton and Chris Johnstone with organiser Karen Rowles (Image: Newsquest)

After running the festival for many years, festival director Don Quinn is set to pass on the reigns to his business partner Karen Rowles next year.

Speaking to the Gazette, she spoke of her excitement for what is to come.

She said: “All I would say is things will be different, but they won't be completely changed.

“So, there will be a few tweaks here and there where I can improve things I will, but necessarily the whole sense and the whole feel of the culture.

“Anybody that’s been coming for the last 25 years will still feel like that is the event, but with all these little added extras.”