Thousands expected as Colne Food & Drink Festival returns this weekend

Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Colne this weekend as the town's popular Food & Drink Festival returns with more than 50 artisan traders, live entertainment and family activities.

The free event takes place on Saturday (July 11) from 10am to 4pm across Colne town centre, with Market Street, Hartley Square and Parliament Street Car Park all hosting attractions.

Organised by Colne BID in partnership with Independent Street, the festival celebrates the town's independent businesses alongside food and drink producers from across Lancashire and beyond.

Visitors can browse artisan stalls selling everything from cheeses, baked goods and spirits to jewellery, crafts and homeware, while a wide range of street food vendors will offer cuisines from around the world. Colne's cafés, bars and restaurants will also be serving festival specials throughout the day.

Entertainment includes live music from Tim Cowley and Ross Munro, circus performers, stilt walkers and roaming entertainers, while families can enjoy free face painting, children's craft activities and cookery workshops.

The festival's popular Man vs Food competition returns with contests taking place at midday and 2pm in Hartley Square, while Poison Ivy Cocktails will host a live cocktail-making demonstration at 1pm.

Nature enthusiasts can also take part in foraging workshops led by Pendle Plant Craft.

More than 50 traders are due to attend, including Bogarts Cheese, Cheshire Cheesecakes, God's Own Bakery, Greek St Food, Poison Ivy Cocktails, Riverside Spirits, Rossi's Ices, The Cheese Counter, The Doughnuteers, The Salford Rum Company and Waffles and Dreams.

The festival runs from 10am until 4pm, is free to attend, dog friendly and aims to showcase the independent businesses that make Colne one of Lancashire's most popular market towns.

For more information and updates, visit the Come to Colne and Independent Street social media channels.