Taste Cumbria is coming back to Wigton this month and it promises to be another great celebration of the county’s best food and drink.

There will be everything that regular visitors expect – from a producers’ market and hot food court, to chef and expert demonstrations, as well as live music, lots of family fun, and a young entrepreneurs’ market with free stalls for those who are just starting out.

And there is more to the showcase, which takes place on Saturday, April 22, than just food.

Children’s attractions will include street art and circus skills workshops, along with foodie crafts, and, new for 2023, Taste Cumbria in Wigton will host a comedy night for the first time.

These events have proved so popular at the festivals in Cockermouth and Maryport that they sell out every year.

The comedy night will be held on Friday, April 21, in the Market Hall. MC for the evening will be Cumbrian comic Mike Wilkinson who has supported TV greats such as Jason Manford, Jonny Vegas, Ross Noble and Peter Kay.

He will host a top class night of comedy with rising star Harry Stachini whose skilful storytelling shows skill beyond his years.

Closing the evening is circuit veteran and all round mirth machine, Silky. Mixing hilarious stories with the occasional musical interlude, Silky has been hailed by comedy superstars such as John Bishop as ‘a very, very funny fella’.

Tickets for the comedy night are on sale now, search ‘Taste Comedy Wigton’ at www.eventbrite.co.uk.

Taste Cumbria Wigton will be followed by the Taste of the Sea festival in Maryport on August 13 and 14, then the flagship Taste Cumbria festival in Cockermouth on September 23 and 24. Taste Cumbria Christmas on December 9 and 10, also in Cockermouth, will end the year.

Trader pitches are now available for the Producers’ and Young Entrepreneurs’ Markets and hot food courts at each of the events. The Young Entrepreneurs Markets are open to those aged 16 to 25 who have a new small independent business or who make, bake and create as an aside to school or college.

Visit www.visitallerdale.co.uk/taste-cumbria-home/ to apply. 

The Taste Cumbria food festivals have historically been organised by Allerdale Borough Council and will continue under the new Cumberland Council.