Anyone thinking of visiting the lovely spa town of Harrogate should make sure that they arrange their trip to coincide with the Harrogate Food and Drink Festival. Not only because it is a great event for all the family but they seem to have a knack of picking the best weather. That’s next year’s event flooded out then!

When I arrived early in the afternoon, the place was buzzing, but despite the numbers it didn’t feel uncomfortably crowded and moving around the place was very easy and stress-free. There were obviously queues for the special events and the hot food stalls and bars, but that is only to be expected.

Last year I was there a little earlier and so was able to chat with some of the traders, but this time I didn’t want to intrude on their selling time, after all, that is why they, and their customers are there, so I just strolled round taking it all in.

Actually I did have a conversation with one stall holder when I asked him if I could have one of his pork pies and he said that I could. An absolute bargain and very good indeed. He took cash as well!

I had a look at the cooking demonstration presented in conjunction with Leeds Cookery School and Yorkshire Food Guide. As is usual, the place was packed with Stephanie Moon doing her thing with British Food. The hourly shows had all parts of the globe covered.

Next door was the Tasting Tent, alright, I know tents don’t have doors but I could hardly say next flap, where, for a modest extra cost you could partake in sampling the various wares of the presenters. These were more intimate events covering treats such as cheese, charcuterie, cocktails and rum. I got a quick peek at the Portuguese wine event, which seemed to be being much appreciated by those partaking.

In addition to the main raison d’être, well it is Harrogate, there were also a fair few craft shops and ones which were aimed at the fashion conscious, which let me out.

The youngsters were amply catered for with features such as the mini farm, a children’s entertainer who was making balloon animals – as long as you asked for a dog! He introduced himself as the best magician in Yorkshire – at this price point! Obviously his patois was very entertaining to those of all ages, but especially to we kids.

That looks dangerous. Someone is obviously vaping!

There was the obligatory fun fair with rides suitable for all ages, and levels of death wish. There was one little girl I saw who was obviously enjoying her ride in a large teacup on a roundabout with her dad, or was that the other way round, as well as axe throwing and a contraption which seemed to have been designed to reconfigure every organ in the body in its eccentric motion. Each to their own.

Entertainment of a more genteel nature totally in keeping with the surroundings was on the main stage – Glastonbury take note – with Harrogate Town Spa Ukes. They were working their way through the Beatles’ back catalogue whilst I was watching, but as I was taking my leave I had to pause to hear the opening bars of their next song. You haven’t lived until you have heard a ukulele band play Rocking All Over The World! I like it, I like it I lalalallike it.

On the subject of Glastonbury, make a note of this. Plenty of immaculately kept toilets.

So, with the sun getting the better of its battle with my bald head, I thought it time to set off home and become better acquainted with my purchase. I really should have worn protective headgear, perhaps a pork pie hat.

If you missed the Harrogate Food and Drink Festival on The Stray, worry ye not because its sister event takes place at Ripley Castle, on 26th to 28th August, which is Bank Holiday Weekend so that will really test their power over the weather! Go to https://harrogatefoodfestival.com for full details.

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