THE rain held off for the Sausage and Cider Festival’s debut in Winchester.
After a night of Ibiza dance tracks, North Walls Recreation Ground was once again transformed with thousands of people enjoying food, drinks and tribute bands at the Sausage and Cider Festival.
More than 50m of bars with 25 flavours of cider available from classic apple to rhubarb, cherry Bakewell, rum and chocolate as well as draft beer, prosecco, gin, cocktails and soft drinks.
The event has previously toured more than 30 cities across the UK with its extensive range of sausages but Saturday, August 19 was the festival’s first time in Winchester.
READ MORE: The Sausage and Cider Festival is coming to Winchester
The cider is flowing 🍻 and the sun is shining here ☀️ at the @sausageandcider festival in #Winchester today 🌭
— Adele Bouchard (@adele_bouchard) August 19, 2023
What's not to love? pic.twitter.com/MgdyQPRvEr
Tribute acts performing throughout the day, from 2pm-11pm, include Toploader, Scam Fender, The Kopycat Killers and Queens Greatest Hits who will be closing the show.
Friends Julie Rivers, Dionne Bolland and Jo Hilder, from Alresford, said they’d never been to an event like it.
Julie, 45, said: “Everything looks amazing – the stalls, music, sausages and of course the glitter. I couldn’t believe how much was here. It’s brilliant Winchester is hosting more events like this.”
Jo, 50, said: “We wanted a girly day out and this was perfect. And the sun has actually come out for us. We watched Darren Poyzer earlier and he was really good but we’re looking forward to Queens later.”
Dionne, 47, said: “People want to get out and enjoy themselves so it’s great to see an event like this here.”
Edward Benham, 27, from Marchwood, was dragged into the festival last minute for a friend’s birthday. He said: “I was going to go to a tractor festival today. I thought it was going to be a little pub and it’s a huge event – definitely exceeded my expectations.
“I’ve enjoyed the sausages and cider and I’m looking forward to some good music.”
Lewis Lane, 24, has been on tour with the event across the UK the summer serving up sweet treats at the crumble stand to make “dreams crumb true”. He said: “We’ve had steady business all day as we have had at all the other venues.
“I really enjoy doing events like these. The cherry flavour is proving quite popular and the toffee apple too.”
SEE ALSO: 21 of the best photos from the Ibiza Orchestra Experience
Friends Collette Holleran, Chris Green and newly weds Megan and James Woodcock were thrilled to see such a fun music festival close to home.
Chris, 25, originally from Lincoln and now living in Winchester, said: “It’s amazing that more events like this are now coming to the city.”
Collete, 25, from Christchurch, said: “It’s nice to just be able to get on a bus and be here, it’s a great excuse to go out. The music acts have been really good and we’re looking forward to Queens later.”
James, 28, from Chandler’s Ford, said: “We love our sausages and cider, that’s what brought us here today.”
Dan King, 33, from Basingstoke is getting married in two weeks and picked the festival to kickstart his stag do.
He said: “I thought there’s meat, alcohol and probably bad bands and I love bad bands so it seemed like a great decision. If I had to rate how happy I am with my stag do choice to come here I’d say seven and a half out of 10.
“We’re looking forward to Madness and Winchester Kebab House later.”
For more information go to sausageandciderfest.co.uk/winchester.
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