Wirral Life May 2019 | Page 20

BOROUGH OF CULTURE 2019 - SPRING INTO SUMMER WITH THE RIVER FESTIVAL AND MAKE A DATE FOR THE WIRRAL FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL! The River Festival is a much loved part of the Liverpool and Wirral cultural events calendar, and each year, visitors flock to the World Heritage Waterfront and New Brighton to be part of this special, family friendly weekend. and beautiful Green Flag parks, the event is not to missed with something for all the family alongside fantastic art and entertainment and the mouth-watering array of food and drink on offer. Visit New Brighton on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June for a warm welcome and a taste of the seaside this River Festival weekend. This ever-popular Festival will see New Brighton celebrating the resort’s unique place in the region’s heart, with free seaside fun for all the family as part of Wirral’s Borough of Culture year. The Festival will be the culinary highlight of Wirral Borough of Culture 2019 and will take its place among a stellar line-up for autumn of culture, sport, innovation and food and drink which will continue to put Wirral on the map – including the OVO Energy Tour of Britain and other incredible events which are still to be announced. The Continental Food Market will be back along Ian Fraser Walk from the late May Bank Holiday weekend until the end of the River Festival, with food and drink stalls serving up international flavours. Visitors can take a wander around the resort or enjoy a walk along the promenade to take in the spectacular waterfront views. Look out for giant sand sculptures on the beach, sea creature street entertainment and musical performances – plus plenty more surprises popping up along the New Brighton waterfront. River Festival highlights on Liverpool’s UNESCO World Heritage Waterfront include the return of the Bordeaux Wine Festival Liverpool from 31st May – 2nd June 2019 fresh from scooping up the award for Best New Event at the NOEA Awards. Transport yourself to a waterfront paradise, with world-class wine and delicious food. A delicious addition to this year’s Borough of Culture programme is the all-new Wirral Food & Drink Festival which has now been announced. The festival will take place from Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 September in Birkenhead Park, with elements curated by nationally renowned Wirral-born chef, Paul Askew of The Art School Restaurant. The Festival will bring together an abundance of local producers and celebrity chefs from Wirral and beyond to create a two-day gastronomic experience for food and drink lovers in Birkenhead Park. Set against the backdrop of one of Wirral’s most celebrated 20 wirrallife.com Lucy Barrow, Assistant Director for Culture & Visitor Economy at Wirral Council commented: “Wirral’s status as a foodie destination is well-known and we’re delighted to be bringing the Wirral Food & Drink Festival to Birkenhead Park in September as part of our Borough of Culture year. Working alongside with such respected culinary talent as Paul Askew, this Festival will show what an exceptional gastronomic offer we have here in Wirral – from our brilliant local producers to homegrown talent.” Paul Askew, Chef Patron of The Art School Restaurant added: “I am absolutely delighted to be playing a part in the Wirral Food and Drink Festival which will be a special showcase of what we have to offer from field to fork. In 2019, when the eyes of the region and beyond are on Wirral, I want us to shout about our wonderful food and drink culture, our reputation for quality produce and our fantastic natural assets and to make sure we embrace this great opportunity to introduce the Festival to residents and visitors and to build a fantastic legacy through this becoming a future annual event.” More information on the Wirral Food & Drink Festival will be released soon. Any producers or traders who would like to be part of Wirral Food & Drink Festival should contact: [email protected] to register their interest. Visit imaginewirral.com for the latest information on the Borough of Culture.