Traders and visitors alike were treated to a range of delights during Barton Food Festival, with some food stalls selling out of all their produce in under two hours. There was also a guest appearance from Transformers Optimus Prime and Bumblebee to keep the younger crowd entertained.
The first of its kind in Barton this year, the food festival brought along a whole range of sweet and savoury delights from the classic hog roast bap to the more unusual multi coloured vegan burger. Alongside the savoury options were a plethora of sweet choices such as luxury donuts, crepes and even some fudge.
For stall holders, it was somewhat of a nervy start with no one quite sure how many would turn out to see what they had to offer. However, many remarked at how the massive crowds were a great relief to them, spurring them on to come back again should they get the chance.
Read more: I tackled Grimsby’s breakfast burrito challenge
Andy Douce, owner of Dandy’s Treats, was at the festival to help raise money for the local community farm and was happy to see how many people came to the event. He said: “Today has been great for awareness and it’s been fantastic overall, we’ve even sold out of our cheesecake pots.
“It’s nice to get out after we’ve all been cooped up for so long too and it’s great to finally have this event considering it’s been cancelled because of weather in the past. It’s our first food event and we’ve absolutely loved it, we’ll definitely be coming to another one in the future. The weather and people have been great too, what more could you ask for.”
(Image: Grimsby Live)
Others, like Andy Beech from Junk Soul, are veterans of the food festival world however, but were still shocked to see the turn out at today’s event. He explained: “I’m loving being here, it’s been a really great day. I had faith the festival would be good, but when Optimus Prime turned up, I knew it was going to be amazing.
“There’s been a great response from people and there have been plenty of curious folk interested in my brightly coloured buns. It’s gone that well that I sold out of all my food in less than two hours. I’ll definitely be coming back if they ask me again, there’s no doubt about it.”
It wasn’t just the businesses that enjoyed the day though, customers were equally as ecstatic about how enjoyable the event was. Archie Cuthbert said: “I came over from Grimsby and never expected it to be as busy as it is, the food is brilliant and I really enjoyed my hog roast sandwich. there was a bit of a wait for the food, but it was worth it in the end.”
For other businesses, like Doughnut Dreams, this was their first taste of the food festival world, having set up in lockdown. Owner Hannah Palmer-Powell said: “It’s been insane for us today. It’s been crazy and busy, but the people have been so lovely to us.
“It’s the first time we’ve done an event before, but it’s been great. I think it’s taken everyone by surprise just how well the event has done. We’ve sold out of everything and I don’t think we ever expected that to happen, we’ll definitely be going to more food festivals now we’ve experienced this one.”
