Lichfield’s Spring Food & Drink Festival to showcase community spirit, local talent and new business

Lichfield city centre will be buzzing this May when the Spring Food & Drink Festival returns for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Taking place on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May, the festival will bring together more than 100 traders from across the region, offering a vibrant mix of street food, artisan produce, drinks and handmade goods, helping to create a lively and welcoming atmosphere across the city centre.

Alongside the food and drink offer, this year’s festival will also highlight the success of the council’s Community Grant Programme, which was introduced to support local organisations to take part in and enhance major events.

Through the programme, local organisations have been supported to deliver activities that add even more to the festival experience. Ripple Music Group will bring a programme of live performances from local artists, creating a vibrant soundtrack across the city, while Lichfield Arts will add to the atmosphere with roaming entertainment on the Saturday.

Families can enjoy children’s craft and reading activities hosted by The Bookery, supporting the National Year of Reading, and The Cake Spa will deliver sustainable cake decorating workshops, raising funds for local charity Kids’ Village and adding a creative, hands-on element to the weekend.

As part of the council’s wider commitment to supporting local businesses and encouraging enterprise, five free start-up stalls have also been awarded to new traders. This provides emerging businesses with the opportunity to showcase their products, reach new customers and be part of one of the city’s largest events.

Cloudy Galvez of Ripple Music Group which is receiving a Community Grant said: “It’s a great opportunity to be involved with the Spring Food Festival through the community grants program. As a local music promoter, I’m always on the look-out for new ways to do my bit and help to provide platforms for Lichfield’s brilliant music scene.

“So, to be awarded funding to run a live music stage right in the middle of the city during a busy food festival is so exciting. We’ve been able to offer live performance slots to 8 local artists across the weekend, and I can’t wait to see such a talented range of musicians do their thing on May 16 and 17.”

Laura Sutton, owner of The Cake Spa, said: “I am over the moon to have received a community grant in order to put on some fun and free activities for the kids to join in with during the Spring Food Festival. I’m looking forward to collaborating with another local business, The Happy Human Collective to offer a few craft activities for the children to enjoy while attending the family zone during both days of the festival.

“We will also be taking donations to help raise funds for Kids’ Village, a local children’s charity which is building a countryside holiday village for sick children and their families to enjoy. It’s sure to be lots of fun and a great opportunity for the children to enjoy some time to get creative!”

The Spring Food & Drink Festival is free to attend, with activities taking place across the city centre throughout the weekend.

Visitors are encouraged to explore the city, support local traders and enjoy everything the festival has to offer.

For more information about the event including travel suggestions when attending please visit Lichfield Food & Drink Festival Spring – Visit Lichfield