A taste of what is to come at this year's Bolton Food and Drink Festival has been unveiled as preparations get underway for one of the best such events in the country.
The annual festival, now in its 18th year, it takes place across the August bank holiday weekend.
For starters, visitors have been promised some of the best artisan stalls around, with the mains options including celebrity chef demos or bottomless brunch, and finally a dessert of live music acts.
More than 70 performers will descend on the two live stages, with a variety of music and entertainment from around the world.
From Irish dancers, choirs, soul, funk, jazz, folk, Latin American, indie, rock, dance and pop, there is something for everybody to enjoy while you soak up the festival atmosphere.
Music lovers can revel in the delights of national artists we well as local performers including Tommy Govan, Mike Roberts, Danny Quin, Conor Peploe, Will Edgar, Holly Jenkinson and John Doyle.
With performers from nine to 80 years old, the festival welcomes all ages at the festival main stage on Le Mans Crescent and the acoustic stage on Victoria Square.
Headlining on Friday and making their full band debut at the festival, will be Bolton’s own, The Shed Project plus special guests.
The band, influenced by the Madchester sound of The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays, are joined by Marseille, The Jace Campbell Band and The Marbellas.
The fun continues on Saturday as highlights include loop based, live music dance trio, Scratch Trio, performing popular classic dance anthems.
In addition, alongside the UK’s premier 1980’s Electronica/New Wave tribute band, Electromantics are five-piece band, Baiana Band, playing Brazillian jazz, pop, funk and soul.
Sunday is equally as entertaining with Stax of Soul, a nine-piece soul band born and bred in Greater Manchester, headlining as part of their 40th anniversary tour.
For those who missed the recent tour, then this one’s for you - joining them is Bolton born Lou Nichols delivering a rocking set of Pink’s greatest hits.
Entertaining the Latin music lovers of Manchester and the UK, is Guacamaya Latin Band, with the best South American rhythms and most popular songs in Europe.
Last but not least and joining the line up on Bank Holiday Monday is Bhangra Smash Up, a three-piece, high energy drumming band playing to popular chart and dance music.
Closing the festivities are five-piece party band, The Shivers, covering your favourite party songs and guilty pleasures.
The live music stages are free to enter and no tickets are required. There will bars available.
Other delights include The Afterparty with Gok Wan & Co to tuck into in the Albert Halls Theatre on the Saturday evening.
There will be a full seven hours of house and dance classics from not only Gok Wan but a feast of well-known guest DJ’s including Phats & Small, Sweet Female Attitude and Rio Fredrika.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, Cllr Nadeem Ayub, said: “The atmosphere at the Bolton Food and Drink Festival is second to none and really showcases what Bolton is about.
“We’re a warm, friendly, inclusive town that likes to welcome all the different cultures we have on our doorstep.
“The live music and entertainment on offer is at the forefront of this, and I’m delighted to share what we have in store for all visitors.”
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