THE SHOBDON Food and Flying Festival is now a regular fixture of the Herefordshire social calendar and it returns on June 27 and 28 promising to be bigger and better than ever. The amalgamation of Herefordshire Aero Club's annual aviation showpiece and the long-running Shobdon Food Festival, its curious mix of the finest local gastronomy with aerial displays, trial flights and historic aircraft has proved hugely popular since its inception back in 2012.
Last year it attracted nearly five thousand visitors to Shobdon Airfield in the north of the county with live music, cooking demonstrations, bespoke arts and crafts and a strong community feel combining for a relaxed weekend the whole family could enjoy. As the event's reputation grows, so too do the number of visiting pilots from all around the country, many of whom have already booked their landing slots for this year.
In 2014 the number of planes parked up at the historic airfield contributed to its busiest weekend since the war!
This year organisers promise even more of the region's finest food producers exhibiting everything from local cheeses, ales, and confectionery to award-winning pies, pastries, cakes and cocktails. For aviation fans, a display by the Armed Forces 'Jump4Heroes' parachute team as well as gyrocopter displays and historic aircraft are confirmed as are one or two yet-to-be-announced surprises.
This year is the eleventh annual Shobdon Food Festival which has, over the years, supported numerous local charities and good causes including The Little Princess Trust and Megan Baker House as well as numerous clubs and other causes. This year, organisers are hoping to keep any profits as local as possible as a thank you to the numerous volunteers who help put on the event.
The 2015 Shobdon Food & Flying Festival is sponsored by Bestparks Country Holiday Parks, whose beautiful Pearl Lake site is in Shobdon.
Entry to this year's Festival is £7 per person with under 11's free.
For more information visit www.shobdonfoodandflyingfestival.co.uk or email shobdonfoodfestival@gmail.com
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