A barbecue festival will be heading to Colchester for the first time this summer after its debut was delayed due to the pandemic.

The Smoke and Fire Festival will take place in the Lower Castle Park in August.

The event, which attracted more than 18,000 visitors back in 2019, had been held at Maldon’s Promenade Park for three years.

It was due to move to Colchester last year but the Covid-19 pandemic halted plans.

It will take place from August 20 to 22 and feature the first ever British Open BBQ Championships.

The event, in aid of the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, will see visitors feast at dozens of stalls.

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There will also be open-fire cookery, live demonstrations and masterclasses.

Visitors will also be able to try hot wing and chilli eating competitions and enjoy live music and DJs.

What is on offer over the weekend?

- The first British Open BBQ Championships, with international teams from around the world

- Feast of Fire cooking and demonstration stage

- BBQ Alley hosted by barbecue pro Marcus Bawdon

- Wildfire VIP lounges - a sanctuary within the festival

- Extreme hot wing and chilli eating contests

- Axe throwing competition

- Real ale, cider, bubbles and cocktail bars

- Artisan producers’ pavilion

- Live music and entertainment across two stages

- Kids Zone

- On Friday night Oasish, the UK’s no.1 Oasis tribute act will perform

When is it happening?

It will run from Friday August 20 to Sunday August 22.

The event will be open from 6.30pm to 10.30pm on the Friday, 10.30am to 8.30pm on the Saturday and 10.30am to 6.30pm on the Sunday.

How much are tickets?

Tickets for the Friday event cost £9 for adults and £4 for children.

Entry for Saturday and Sunday is £15 for adults and £4 for children.

What is the British Open BBQ Championship?

The first British Open BBQ Championship will see thirty teams and individuals, with entries from the UK and Europe will compete to be crowned the undisputed British BBQ Champion.

Teams will compete in the contest cooking with eight categories including steak, ribs, plant-based and dessert, which will be judged on taste, tenderness, texture, creativity and skill.

What do the organisers say?

Smoke & Fire Festival Director, Ashley Peniston-Bird, said: “Food cooked over fire has always created excitement, anticipation and a connection with our history and our nature, a time long before cookery became so complicated and rushed.

"Fire evokes relaxation, comfort, aroma, flavour as well as a sense of theatre, spectacle, celebration and feasting.

"Our aim at Smoke & Fire Festival is to tear up the rule book and create something that’s a taste sensation whilst delivering an engaging experience for each and every one of our visitors.

"We will be bringing all the excitement and flavour of food cooked over fire to Colchester this summer.”