For the second year running, the Purley Food & Drink Festival drew a fantastic crowd on Saturday past (03rd June) to sample food and drink from Purley’s leading establishments on one of the warmest days of the year so far. The festival was opened by the Mayor of Croydon, Toni Letts, Chair of Purley BID, Marlon Johnson and CEO of Purley BID, Simon Cripps.
An estimated 5,000+ people attended the event, which featured live music from bands: Stealing Signs, Chloe Ray and the Endurance Steel Orchestra; DJ music from Bon Bon and Amy B; a dance performance from the Bolly Street Kids Dance Troupe and a fantastic range of delicious foods and drinks from local Purley-based businesses, including Mingo, Obia, Lupita Cafe, Jolly Farmers Pub, Elliot’s, Pear Tree Pub, Domino’s Pizza, Dexter Burger, Tesco and Coughlan’s Bakery.
Many festival go-ers took the opportunity to make their own smoothie on a ‘smoothie bike’ and/or take part in the blind-folded lemon catching championship, sponsored by Tesco, which is proving to be extremely popular with over 50 enthusiasts taking part in the activities. For the very young visitors, there was plenty of free activities, including Sand Art and a very special Mat Hatter’s Tea party, sponsored by Tesco, which resulted in over 300 cup cakes and biscuits getting decorated throughout the afternoon.
Simon Cripps, Chief Executive of Purley BID was most pleased with the turnout and broad show of local businesses, which attracted so many families: “It was fantastic event, great to see so many families enjoying sunny day at the Purley Food & Drink Festival“.
The event, which had something for everyone, was organised by Purley Business Improvement District (Purley BID), which represents local businesses and is set to become a yearly highlight for the town centre.
Winner of the pizza for a year prize, sponsored by Domino’s is: Linda Tomlinson