Whitley Bay plays hosts later this month to the second Proper Food and Drink Festival to visit North Tyneside this summer.
A record number of visitors went to the festival when it was held in North Shields in April. Now, it is the turn of Whitley Bay and the organisers are promising a Dad’s Day Out to remember over the Father’s Day weekend.
“If you are struggling to know what to do for your Dad, bring him along,” said Mark Deakin. “There’s music, fantastic food, plenty of bars – of course – and entrance is free. What more could you want?”
This is the fourth year the Proper Food and Drink Festival has come to the coast. More than 60 stalls offering the very best in locally produced food and drink will set up on the Spanish City Plaza. The event takes place on 17 and 18 June from 10am to 5pm each day and entrance is free.
The Proper Food and Drink Festivals have grown in popularity and number since Mark and his wife Shelley first brought their mix of food, fun and family entertainment to North Shields in 2012.
This year they have added new venues in Gateshead and Blyth to the North East festival summer.
As well as six Proper Food and Drink Festivals they run one of the region’s biggest music events of the year, the North East Chilli Fest, and in August launch the first ever Great North Feast.
“It all makes for a busy summer, but judging by the number of people who come along we think we have the recipe just about right,” said Shelley.
After Whitley Bay, the Cramlington Proper Food and Drink Festival takes place on 29 and 30 July. It then moves to Saltwell Park in Gateshead for 5 and 6 August, before Ridley Park in Blyth the following weekend.
After five highly successful years at Seaton Delaval Hall, the North East Chilli Fest is moving to a bigger site – opposite Gloucester Lodge Farm in Seaton Sluice – and is being held over three days (30 June to 2 July) rather than two.
It will feature live music from 80s’ icons Heaven 17, as well as Smoove and Turrell, the Baghdaddies and many more.
The summer concludes with The Great North Feast in Bents Park, South Shields. It takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend – 25-28 August.