The Winter Gardens have revealed details of a brand-new festival for Autumn 2019, combining food, arts and music creating a mouth-watering, arts inspiring, rock and roll weekend in the heart of Blackpool.
The festival weekend, taking place on September 20th – 22nd, will feature top celebrity chefs Aldo Zilli and Jean-Christophe Novelli, who are set to headline the food arena with live cooking demonstrations along with a diverse range of food offerings from across the world.
The rock show everyone’s talking about “One Night of Queen” will headline the Empress Ballroom on Friday, September 20th, while a cast of more than 800 local choir performers will combine with a live band and West End stars including Ben Forster to bring the festival to a spectacular climax.
A co-production between the Winter Gardens Blackpool and Famous Events, the festival brings together partners from across the resort including Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Blackpool & Fylde College and Twelve Event Management.
Ian Hooper, managing director of Famous Events, said: “FAM Festival promises to be a fun packed, family friendly, hands on weekend that will tantalise your taste buds, fire up your creativity, and bring you great live entertainment all in one huge indoor festival.
“We are building relationships for the future, and so are delighted to bring the expertise of Blackpool & The Fylde College, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and Twelve Event Management to the FAM Festival in September. Between us, we are dedicated to delivering a top-class weekend, with a few surprises along the way, too. Thanks to all our fantastic sponsors.”
Throughout the day visitors will be able to sample delicious food from partners, Twelve Event Management, enjoy burgers, street food, and artisan cooking at its finest at the great concession stalls throughout the FAM Festival weekend.
Visitors will also be able to try their hand at creating fine art with resident artists, get involved in everything from graffiti style art, craft making, and even digital displays.
There is something for everyone at the FAM Festival weekend with workshops from partners at B&FC Creative Arts. Younger guests will have the opportunity to build dinosaurs that soar above their heads, designing pop badges and so much more.
Dr Jill Fernie-Clarke, head of creative arts and digital industries at Blackpool & Fylde College, said: “The staff and students are thrilled to be involved in this new and exciting event showcasing the fantastic work we do in the arts, celebrate skills and demonstrate our sheer enjoyment of food art and music.’
Nick Thompson, deputy managing director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, said: “We look forward to joining in this festival and bringing a taste of Blackpool Pleasure Beach to this exciting new event for Blackpool.”
The FAM festival joins a growing profile of events promoted by the venue including the world-renowned Blackpool Dance Festival, International Soul Festival, Manford’s Comedy Festival and the inaugural Great British Country Music Festival also set to take place this September.
Michael Williams, managing director at Winter Gardens Blackpool, said: “We’re delighted to announce FAM Festival, adding another fantastic event to our growing portfolio of co-promoted events. FAM combines food, arts and music all under one roof, providing guests a weekend of immersive experiences in the unparalleled surroundings of the Winter Gardens Blackpool.”
Further events are set to be revealed in the coming weeks. Tickets, priced from £7.50, for the FAM Festival weekend of events go on-sale Wednesday, May 1st at 11am. For full details and to purchase tickets visit www.famfestival.co.uk or www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk.
