Preparations are underway for the 2023 Southport Food Festival

Preparations are underway for the 2023 Southport Food Festival which starts tomorrow and runs until Sunday. Held in Victoria Park the home of the Southport Flower Show the event attracts thousands of visitors and this year looks to be even better with fantastic weather predicted for all three days.

Here are some top tips to enjoy your visit.

1. Breakfast, lunch and dinner…sorted! With so many food vendors to choose from, you’re your comfy pants and bring your appetite. With over 50 street food stalls with, you can literally eat all day - we guarantee you will be stuffed!

2. Do your food shop - Make sure you bring a shopping bag because our local producers have plenty you can take home. Doughnuts, fudge, rum, cakes, pies, meats, herbs and spices, cheese, olives…the list is endless so make sure the bag is HUGE.

3. Enjoy the entertainment - Throughout the festival the entertainment marquee, hosted by Simon Smithies (fondly known as the British Musical Fireworks Championship ‘voice’), local musicians will be playing each day bringing an amazing atmosphere to the event. Sit under the marquee to take a break from the sunshine, or join in on some dancing.

4. Keep the kids entertained - With outdoor inflatables, water walkers, slides plus activities in the entertainment marquee (including face painting, soft play, and story telling) there’s plenty for them to enjoy. Often families put down camp and play football or cricket so feel free to bring a ball.

5. Chill with friends - Catch up with your mates, bring a picnic blanket, your factor 50 and find a space to chill out.

6. Enjoy a few drinks... - With a bird's eye view from the cocktail bar, a locally brewed beer or a gin cocktail sat on the grass, there is plenty of drink on offer with something for those enjoying soft drinks too, from perfectly brewed coffee, to fresh juices and much more. Grab your drink and enjoy the sunshine.

7. Enjoy a Disco Music Festival - Head to the Flair n’ Funk corner and enjoy a disco music festival. Banging tunes from ten DJs over the weekend, playing the best of disco and house. Plus you can grab a skinny lager and skinny cocktails - same delicious taste, less calories.

8. Bring your four-legged friend - The festival has always been dog welcoming. As long as they are well behaved and remain on their lead they can come and join you for the day.

9. Do a full sweep of the street food before you decide what you are eating - The biggest mistake is to order the first thing you see and then see something else half way round.

10. Getting there – Park up at the Southport Eco Centre Esplanade Park & Ride Car Park, which faces the park (£2 all day Monday to Saturday, and £5 all day Sundays and Bank Holidays). There’s also a number of street parking locations in Southport. Or jump on the bus and enjoy all of the food and drink on offer, without having to worry about driving or parking. Merseyrail and Northern usually operate a frequent service into nearby Southport station but with rail strikes on over the weekend, check before you travel.