THOUSANDS of people have flocked to Christchurch Food Festival in a particularly special year for the event.

Food lovers have been gathering on Christchurch Quay and Quomps to enjoy the annual festival, which for the first time will take place across four days in honour of the Bank Holiday for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The popular event, which has taken place for more than 20 years, showcases the very best of locally produced food and drink, as well as street food, local breweries, and distilleries.

Residents, families, and children enjoyed a day of entertainment and full bellies and tasty treats.

Bournemouth Echo: A huge LED screen on the Quay kept visitors up to date with national celebrations. A huge LED screen on the Quay kept visitors up to date with national celebrations.

James, a Ringwood resident who was visiting the festival with friends, said: “It’s about having a good time. People are out, the sun’s out, and it’s the Bank Holiday weekend.”

Farm Girl Sausages was one food stall to get people queuing, a Dorset-based food business run by Sophie Baker. Sophie told the Daily Echo how important it was for them to be involved in the Christchurch Food Festival.

She said: “We have a lot of local customers here, and a lot of the traders here trade locally and that’s what it’s all about.

“It’s been really busy- it’s great.”

It is not just local traders that flock to the food festival to share their goods. Emily brought her Herefordshire based baking business to the event- The Boozie Brownie Co. She said: “It sounded like a good event and I’m really happy to be here.”

Bournemouth Echo: Biscoff blondies by The Boozie Brownie CoBiscoff blondies by The Boozie Brownie Co

As well as the impressive amount of food and drink on offer, Christchurch Food Festival is host of a busy entertainment schedule, including performances, chef demonstrations and the annual sheep show.

Thursday at the festival saw musical performances from the likes of David Mein, The Mellor Sisters and Gary Took aka The Reverend.

The Royal British Legion Band Christchurch also assembled for a late afternoon performance, seeing guests really get into the jubilee spirit.

Many jubilee-themed activities had also been lined up to mark the occasion, and a huge LED screen on the Quay kept visitors up to date with national celebrations.

The Christchurch Food Festival will continue to be held across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.