A free-entry food festival will bring a host of street food trucks to North Shields over the early May Bank Holiday weekend.
They will be setting up in the town's Northumberland Square for the return of the Proper Food and Drink Festival which will play out from May 4 until May 6 with the usual celebration of locally-produced food and drink against a live music backdrop.
The event - its name capturing its 'quality without fuss' ethos - has taken place in North Shields each year since 2012 and has grown to become a popular showcase for dozens of artisan chefs, bakers and brewers.
Run by husband and wife Mark and Shelley Deakin, as one of their regular Proper festivals across the region, they say it is increasingly seen by traders as a chance to bridge the gap from being talented amateurs to full-time professionals.
Shelley said: “These are very important festivals for local producers as they provide a real opportunity for them to get face-to-face feedback from their customers - and as a result they pull out all the stops."
Mark added: "It’s fantastic to see how they’ve progressed.
"Some have opened their own restaurants, while these events have helped others to realise just how good they are.
“Our first festival took place in North Shields so we’re always delighted to bring it back - and this year it will be better than ever.”
The North Shields Proper Food and Drink Festival will open from 10am until 5pm each day from the Saturday until the Bank Holiday Monday .
There will be bars serving drinks alongside the street food trucks selling meals and snacks and stall-holders offering food and drink to take home, as well as a crafts area and children's activities.
Next on the menu for The Proper Food and Drink Festival will be an event on June 15 and 15 at Spanish City Plaza in Whitley Bay. The seaside town also will play host to the Deakins' new Feast by the Sea events, being held in collaboration with event organiser Nigel Holliday and due to take place over weekends in July, August and September.
For more about what's happening see here .
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