Ellesmere Food and Drink Festival is most successful ever
An annual culinary extravaganza in a county market town was today hailed the most successful in the event's seven-year history.
More than 10,000 people attended the Ellesmere Food and Drink Festival, which took place over the weekend.
The annual festival, which was sponsored by Formal Holdings Ltd, was held in the town hall and market hall and showcased food from more than 50 producers.
Featuring the theme of hit television show The Simpsons, the free event displayed an array of local, national and international produce and organisers believe the weekend was the biggest and best so far.
Organiser Lincoln McMullan, chairman of the Ellesmere Chamber of Commerce, said: "The event has been fantastic. The hall has been packed with people, it has been so busy and the businesses have been buzzing."
He added: "Overall the weather has been good and even a few showers yesterday didn't put off the crowds of people. I am already looking forward to next year."
The festival featured fruit, vegetables, cheeses, meat products, ice cream, wines, beers, homemade chocolates and preserves and visitors also had the chance to take a steamboat trip or hire a rowing boat to go around the Mere.
Ellesmere Mayor Alan Clarke said he was very proud of the community event. He said: "It's been a brilliant weekend event and every minute of both days it has been packed out. It has been so successful.
"One of the marvellous things is that people have travelled from further afield to see what local produce we have to offer."
Visitors could also sample a variety of foods including a hog roast, dulled barbecue pork, barbecue beef, dragon eggs, crepes, ice cream and plenty more.
