COLCHESTER'S hugely-popular food and drink festival is returning to Castle Park.
The event had to be cancelled last year because of the pandemic but traditionally takes place each June.
Organisers have now confirmed details for this year’s event, which will be run in line with Covid rules.
It will take place across the weekend of June 26 and 27 and be the 17th staging of the festival, with the very first being held in 2004.
To whet your appetite, we're heading back a decade to remember the event that took place on June 26, 2011.
As ever, it featured an array of culinary attractions and proved a celebration of local food and produce, providing a welcome boost to small traders in the borough and surrounding areas.
Stallholders gave away samples of their wares and there were cookery demonstrations by top chefs.
All of the pictures below were taken by Gazette photographer Steve Brading.
Hungry for more - festival-goers enjoy their time in Castle Park
Great minds drink alike - Michael Sargeant and Natalie Hays try a taste of Caribbean punch
Dance of a lifetime - a samba group perform in Castle Park
Straw poll - Courtney and Ferne Farmer enjoy a colourful slushy drink. The sisters were ten and five respectively when this picture was taken
Best seat in the house - Alan Parfitt and three-year-old daughter Anna tuck into some of produce on offer at the 2011 Food and Drink Festival
Give and cake - Michaela Doggett hands out some of her beautiful cup cakes
Shaken, not stirred - Rob Brickman tastes a fruit cocktail
Enjoying a bite to treat - Louisa Hancock with Jake, two, cool down with ice creams
Food for thought - visitors soak up the atmosphere and some sunshine in Castle Park
Moving to the music - people dance around the tables at the La Tasca stand
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