FEAST: The East Cork Food & Drink Festival
Get ready to immerse yourself in a week of culinary delights as FEAST: The East Cork Food & Drink Festival returns to Midleton from September 3rd to 8th. This year’s festival, organised by the Midleton & Area Chamber of Commerce, promises to be bigger and better, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Starting on Tuesday, September 3rd, the festivities kick off with a special table quiz at J.J. Coppinger’s, featuring gourmet-themed questions for food lovers and quiz enthusiasts alike.
On Wednesday, enjoy traditional music at J.J. Coppinger’s, setting the tone for the rest of the week. Thursday evening offers a unique experience at Ballyvolane House with “Craicly Stories,” an event celebrating East Cork’s food heritage with dinner, drinks, a distillery tour, and storytelling. Tickets for this exclusive event are available on the Ballyvolane House website.
FEAST’s opening party will take place at the Midleton Distillery Experience on Friday at 6 pm. This event, featuring East Cork’s finest food producers, canapés, and talks, is sure to be a highlight of the festival.
The weekend begins with a full slate of activities on Saturday, including 3 panel discussions on food culture with award-winning writer Kate Ryan at the Midleton Park Hotel, the bustling Midleton Farmers’ Market, live music throughout the town, a cocktail-making demonstration at J.J. Coppinger’s, and a special Tasting Menu dinner on Church Lane celebrating Homegrown Produce.
Sunday is the festival’s main event, with over 50 vendors taking over Midleton’s main street from 10 am. This year, the festival introduces a Family Fun Zone on the fair green, featuring activities such as an interactive mini-zoo, healthy-eating children’s workshops from the Cool Food School, and games like Giant Jenga and Lego, all aimed at keeping the whole family entertained. Additionally, Mighty Kids Yoga and face painting will offer more relaxed activities.
For an exciting family challenge, don’t miss the Fabulous Food Treasure Trail, sponsored by Midleton Credit Union and Midleton Library. Pick up your map and clues at the Family Fun Zone and explore the town to solve riddles and win prizes.
Sunday will also feature fashion shows at 12 noon and 3 pm, showcasing the latest styles from East Cork’s boutiques in The Square. And for the first time, part of the main street will be transformed into a communal dining area with picnic benches, making it easy to enjoy the diverse and delicious offerings from the festival’s many vendors.
As the day winds down, head to Church Lane for the festival’s closing party, the perfect way to end your weekend of food and fun.
FEAST 2024 promises to be an unforgettable celebration of East Cork’s vibrant food scene. We invite you to join us and experience the best the region has to offer.
For more information and updates on FEAST, visit www.feastcork.com or follow us on social media.
Summary of Events:
Tuesday, September 3rd
– FEAST Quiz @ J.J. Coppinger’s. No pre-booking Required.
Wednesday, September 4th
– Trad Music @ J.J. Coppinger’s. No pre-booking Required.
– Thursday, September 5th:
– Craicly Stories @ Ballyvolane House. Booking Link
– Friday, September 6th:
– Opening Party @ Midleton Distillery Experience. Booking Link
Saturday, September 7th
-Kate Ryan Cultural Talks @ Midleton Park Hotel
– Innovation in Agri-Business
– Drinking Culture!
– Cook the Books
– Midleton Farmers’ Market
– Live Music throughout Midleton
– Cocktail Demonstration @ J.J. Coppinger’s Booking Link
– Tasting Menu Dinner @ Church Lane Booking Link
Sunday, September 8th
– Main Street Festival with over 70 vendors
– Family Fun Zone @ Fair Green
– Fabulous Food Treasure Trail
– Fashion Shows @ The Square (12:00 PM & 3:00 PM)
– Closing Party @ Church Lane
Summary of Family Fun Zone Activities:
Located next to SuperValu on the fair green, the Family Fun Zone will open at 10:00 AM on Sunday, September 8th, and will feature a variety of activities designed to entertain children and families throughout the day:
-Interactive Mini-Zoo: A chance for kids to meet and learn about different animals.
-Cool Food School Workshops: Fun and educational workshops focused on healthy eating.
-Giant Games: Classic games like Giant Jenga and Connect Four.
-Mighty Kids Yoga: Yoga sessions tailored for kids to promote relaxation and mindfulness.
-Face Painting: Creative and colorful face painting for children of all ages.
-Fabulous Food Treasure Trail: A town-wide treasure hunt with clues and prizes, starting from the Family Fun Zone.
