Steve Brine took his family to Alresford on Sunday 19th May as the Georgian town once again hosted the Alresford Watercress Festival.
On the third Sunday of May each year, the market town becomes the site of a huge street festival. Over 80 stalls showcase the very best local food and drink producers, and others sell arts, crafts, jewellery and clothing, items for the house, garden and much else besides.
Throughout the day, musicians and street performers entertain on the main stage, in St John’s Church and on the streets. For the young, there are circus skills workshops, face painting, Punch & Judy shows, petting farm and much more, while in the morning a large cavalcade of musicians, dancers and children accompany the Watercress King and Queen up Broad Street as they distribute freshly cut bunches of watercress to festival goers.
Well-known chefs also demonstrate delicious watercress-inspired dishes, and more adventurous visitors can take up the challenge of the World Watercress Eating Championships - now in the Guinness Book of World Records!
Steve Brine MP said; “The Alresford Watercress Festival is an event we never miss and, in fact, we have been every year for as long as I can remember. We’ve had a few wet ones but most, like today, are bathed in warm May sunshine.
“Watercress and Alresford fit together like a hand in glove and it’s always great to celebrate our local superfood. It’s also nice to see some of the new things and credit to the organisers for adding them year on year.”
Pictured; Steve and young William take in the festival, and a view of the packed crowds
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