THE BEST cuisines from across the globe, top musical entertainment and a tasty selection of workshops and street performers – just some of the ingredients which will make the Sunderland Food and Drink Festival an occasion not to be missed.
The annual celebration returns this weekend (7-9 June) with events taking place across Keel Square, High Street West and Market Square.
The ever-popular continental street food market will return, selling dishes from India, the Caribbean, Germany, Mexico, Hungary, Greece, Turkey, China and Italy to name a few.
Visitors will also be able to buy an exciting range of artisan products as well as favourites produced by traders closer to home.
A full programme of children’s entertainment is planned across the weekend, including gardening workshops, giant games and arts and crafts.
And it will also be washed down with a packed programme of live music from the stage at Keel Square.
Among those performing are Abba tribute duo, Voulez 2 and former X Factor finalist, Amelia Lily.
Also taking to the stage across the weekend will be This Little Bird, Sarah Leilah, Khalysis and He Knows She Knows, while visitors to Market Square can enjoy performances by top buskers and artistes from the city’s Young Musicians Project.
Also on the bill are DJ & Sax Party, Ami Vaziri, Lottie Willis and tribute act, Sebby Mercury.
Dance will also feature heavily on the programme, with stage schools including Kathleen Davis, Empire Academy, Lynns Dancefit and Inspire Stage School appearing at various times across the weekend.
Sharon Appleby, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID which organises the festival believes there is something for everyone.
“Sunderland Food and Drink Festival goes from strength to strength and we’ve really pulled out all the stops to make sure it will be a weekend to remember,” she said.
“There is so much happening across the three days and we hope that people will get in the festival spirit and join in the fun from the very start on Friday.
“Coming into the city centre and enjoying the great food, drink and entertainment we have on offer will be a fantastic way to get the weekend started.”
For more information on the full weekend programme visit www.sunderlandfooddrinkfest.co.uk
