Midsomer Norton High Street was buzzing with activity last Saturday as the town’s first food and drink festival attracted an estimated 4,000 visitors, bringing one of the biggest crowds seen in the town centre for years.
Organised by eat:Festivals, the free event took place on Saturday 10 October, transforming the High Street into a bustling marketplace, with more than 60 stalls offering everything from locally produced food and drink to freshly prepared street food.
From 10am, visitors poured into the town centre to sample the produce, enjoy the entertainment and soak up the atmosphere, with local market traders reporting an exceptionally busy day.
For many residents, it was a welcome sight to see the High Street so busy, with crowds browsing the stalls, meeting friends and enjoying the town centre.
Festival organisers Bev and Sarah Milner Simonds, from eat:Festivals, were delighted with the response.
“We were very pleased to welcome so many people into Midsomer Norton on Saturday for the first festival of local food and drink.”
The organisers said they had received enthusiastic feedback from local people throughout the day.
“We were told so many times that locals had never seen it so busy and overheard as many people exclaiming joy at bumping into old friends and neighbours.
“It is really fulfilling to know that we created an opportunity for the community to commune in their town centre.”
The crowds also translated into strong sales for many of the small independent producers taking part, with several stalls selling out of their products.
Among those celebrating the festival’s success was local baker Racheal from The Pudding Kitchen, who described the experience as an intense but brilliant day.
Sharing her experience on Facebook, she said her team had been extremely busy throughout the festival.
“We were utterly loaded with stock and continually replenished throughout the day and still the people kept coming!”
Importantly, the event was not just about food and drink. It brought people into the High Street, encouraged visitors to explore the town’s shops and businesses, and created opportunities for friends and neighbours to meet.
The organisers also took time to speak with businesses both within the festival area and further along the High Street to gather feedback.
They said this would help shape any future festivals organised in Midsomer Norton.
Bev and Sarah Milner Simonds thanked Bath and North East Somerset Council for supporting the inaugural event and said they hoped to be invited back.
What are your thoughts on the event?
Photo credit: Anna Barclay
