A full menu is on offer at the free Durham County Council Festival, with over 100 traders, demonstrations from TV chefs such as Rosemary Shrager, John Whaite and Chris Baber, and a plethora of family entertainment.
The festival is expected to play a key role in supporting the region’s economic recovery from the pandemic, supporting traders and boosting businesses in the hospitality industry, which have been hit hard over the past 18 months.
It is also one of the many festivals and events that help showcase the county’s cultural offerings as the council seeks to become UK City of Culture 2025.
Following the coronavirus pandemic, steps have been taken to support public safety and help visitors, traders and event staff and volunteers feel more confident. In addition to expanding the festival site to provide more space, hand sanitizing units will be at all entry points and throughout the venue. Traders were also briefed on Covid security ahead of the festival.
Visitors are encouraged to maintain social distancing where possible and to wear a face mask. There will also be a voluntary QR code at the entrance to the site, which people are encouraged to use to register for the festival. Lateral flow tests are also recommended before presenting.
An accessible park and ride service will be set up for visitors between Spectrum Business Park (SR7 7TT) in Seaham and the town center, with additional buses to avoid overcrowding. Buses will run from 9:30 am on Saturday and Sunday, using the same drop-off and pick-up points at the festival site. The last return bus will run at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Round-trip tickets cost £ 2 for adults, 50 pence for children aged five to 15, and are free for those under five.
The downtown parking lots will be open but may be busy and drivers should be aware that North Terrace will be closed from 5:00 p.m. on Friday August 6 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday August 8.
Deviations will be put in place during this period.
Parking around the green on the north terrace will also be suspended from 1 a.m. on Friday August 6 to 9 p.m. on Sunday August 8.
Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Partnerships, said: “We are delighted to bring the Seaham Food Festival back to our beautiful heritage coastline. With famous chefs, tasty treats from a hundred merchants and a multitude of family entertainment, there is really something for everyone at the festival.
“We hope it will be a busy weekend to help support our local merchants and businesses that have been hit hard over the past 18 months. For this reason, we encourage people to plan their trips in advance and to use public transport or our park and ride service if possible. This will help to minimize delays and allow you to enjoy the festival even longer. “
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