A SLICE OF DORSET ALL IN ONE DAY
There ’ s never been a better time to discover the glorious local produce that is lovingly crafted right here in Dorset
It ’ s also been a momentous six months for Queen Mother Square , with the unveiling of the Queen Mother Statue last October and the opening of The Duchess of Cornwall Inn . So , what better way to celebrate than by entering foodie heaven at the sixth Dorset Food and Arts Festival this August . Once again , Queen Mother Square will be transformed into a one-day festival drawing crowds from near and far . Food producers from the Dorset Farmers ’ Market and Dorset Food & Drink line the square offering artisan baked goods , farm fresh meats , locally caught lobsters and vegetables dug up that very morning . Last year more than 9,500 people turned out to celebrate the finest produce the county – and possibly the country – has to offer . The festival was launched six years ago when the Dorset Farmers ’ Market came together with The Duchy of Cornwall to plan a free festival .
Since then , the Dorset Food & Arts Festival has gone from strength to strength and every year it raises thousands of pounds for local causes . The 2017 event is all day Saturday 5 August from 9am to 5pm with chefs hosting special cooking demos throughout the day . Live music will play on the stage all day – including local singers and national performers . Celebrity chef Lesley Waters , a proud patron of the day , will be featuring in the demonstration kitchen alongside other top Dorset chefs . New this year will be Dorset Art @ Jubilee Hall . For the first time , the festival will have a major visual arts focus , with paintings , ceramics and photography on show and a demonstration by one of Dorset ' s best known potters . There will also be a display of photographs of projects from the three year South Dorset Ridgeway Partnership , exploring the history , topography and culture of this area , which is full of prehistoric stones and burial sites . Festival chairman Christine Walsh , of The Duchy of Cornwall Poundbury , said : “ This last festival was the biggest festival to date and we are so proud to see the day has such a draw of people from near and far . “ It is a really buzzing day from start to finish and we love working with all the incredible artisan food stalls from all over Dorset . “ As organisers it is a pleasure to see the festival grow each year and meet so many families and local people who come along to spend the day soaking up the atmosphere .” In total the festival has raised more than £ 13,000 for local charities . The festival is run each year by a voluntary committee and kindly sponsored by local businesses .
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