FOR food and drink fans, summer is perhaps the best time of year in Colchester – not least due to the brilliant Colchester Food and Drink Festival, which will once again return this year.

The marquee celebration of all this food and drink, which boasts a total of 120 stalls, will be held on June 29  and June 30 at the St Peters Street entrance (Ryegate) at Lower Castle Park.

Don Quinn, organiser, said for £6 per adult, the event is “fantastic, the cheapest around, and open to everyone”.

Gazette: Busy - The Colchester Food and Drink Festival in 2022 saw about 7,000 visitorsBusy - The Colchester Food and Drink Festival in 2022 saw about 7,000 visitors (Image: Steve Brading)

Mr Quinn said the entry fee would include free tasters as well as a free silent disco – a new addition which will be available throughout the whole two days.

Three Wise Monkeys will be organising the silent disco as well as curating all the musical acts – all of which are included with the entry fee.  

There will also be free parking for customers at Kings Meadows.

Don Quinn said there was a “huge” variety of food this year with a "massive" 120 stalls.

He said: “We got everything from the Indian sub-continent to Europe and we’ve got lots of prosecco from Italy.

“We’ve also got everything from pie and mash to local oysters and local cheese, delicacies.”

Gazette: Sweet - Amisha Panchall with dad Rajon making a purchase from Lily Southall and mum Sonia the Brownie QueensSweet - Amisha Panchall with dad Rajon making a purchase from Lily Southall and mum Sonia the Brownie Queens (Image: Steve Brading)

Mr Quinn said there would be about a dozen charity stalls which is important for the festival to be “part of the community”.

The Pikestaff Inn real ale bar will be providing different cider and cold lager – with people being able to enjoy a four-pint ‘growler’ onsite or taken out of the venue.

Dogs with “responsible owners” are also welcome.

Colchester Food and Drink Festival, the biggest of its kind in the region, started 21 years ago, with visitor numbers growing to about 7,000 visitors per year.

Tickets cost £6 per adult, £2 for children for aged 6 to 14, and is free of charge for children aged 5 and under.

VIP marquee tickets are also available which are ticketed by seat, as well as by tables of six and eight.

Guests can visit the festival from 10.30am to 5pm each day.

Tickets can be purchased at the foodanddrinkfestivalsuk.co.uk.