THE Ribble Valley is preparing itself for an invasion of food lovers next month for the Clitheroe Food Festival.

This year’s event – on Saturday, August 10 – promises to be the biggest and best so far with over 100 local producers taking part and the organisers are confident that last year’s total of over 17,000 visitors will be exceeded this time round.

“The festival is a celebration of and a showcase for the great food producers we have in the Ribble Valley,” said co-ordinator Julie Whalley.

“We have got some amazing exhibitors and producers lined up this year and I have been genuinely staggered that there are so many and of such high quality.”

Every exhibitor has been visited and the traceability of their produce checked to ensure that they offer locally-sourced ingredients.

“We have now got the problem that we simply cannot accommodate all the producers,” said Julie. “We have to have a selection process and it may even be we have to do some blind tasting sessions to choose the best.

“It is very important that we maintain the quality of the exhibitors and offer visitors to the festival as much variety as possible.”

The market car park and part of the bull ring will be taken over by stalls offering everything from sausages to cider and from preserves to potted shrimps.

In addition Castle Street will be closed to traffic with food stalls allowing visitors to eat their way around the town centre, taking in food from all around the world.

“It’s not good for the waistline,” laughed Julie, “but this year we have various activities to help work off the food.”

For youngsters there will be a fun fair, a treasure hunt and Alice in Wonderland’s tea party. Visitors can also try their hand at archery in the castle grounds and local musicians including the Clitheroe Pop Choir will be performing around the town centre.

“It is a really lovely family atmosphere,” said Julie, “a very chilled day out.”

Throughout the festival there will be a series of demonstrations from some of the area’s top chefs at two specially-constructed kitchen theatres plus various talks and tastings.

Once again renowned food critic Matthew Fort will giving a talk on his life in food.

“He enjoyed himself so much last year that he asked to come back again and we’re delighted to have him,” said Julie.

Tickets for the demonstrations and talks are on sale now from the festival website, clitheroefoodfestival.co.uk.

The event has attracted sponsorship from a variety of local companies including the main sponsor, Blackburn brewer Daniel Thwaites.

Volunteers from local charities will be helping throughout the day and also fund-raising on behalf of their various charities.

“As well as being a celebration of all the fabulous food in the area the festival also shows visitors what a great little market town is and we are working very closely with the town’s retailers,” said Julie.

Extra public transport is being provided for the festival and park and ride schemes set up for the day.