A taste of what festival has to offer

Sweet treats are in store for visitors to Pontefract when the town's Liquorice Festival returns.
Pontefract Liquorice Festival 2015.Pontefract Liquorice Festival 2015.
Pontefract Liquorice Festival 2015.

The annual confectionary celebration rolls in to town on July 10 with family activities, stalls and stilt walkers on display.

Running for the 21st year, the festival takes place across Pontefract town centre from 10am until 4pm.

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Activities on the day include face painting, balloon modelling and a variety of street entertainment.

Street entertainers at last years Pontefract Liquorice Festival.Street entertainers at last years Pontefract Liquorice Festival.
Street entertainers at last years Pontefract Liquorice Festival.

There will also be a host of sweetshop clowns and allsorts stilt walkers and a visit from Willy Wonka and his Oompa Loompas.

Councillor Les Shaw, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: “Come and join us in Pontefract to celebrate all things liquorice.

“Our town has a unique association with liquorice and this is a great opportunity to enjoy Pontefract at its best.

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“I am sure it will be a real sweet treat for all the family.”

Street entertainers at last years Pontefract Liquorice Festival.Street entertainers at last years Pontefract Liquorice Festival.
Street entertainers at last years Pontefract Liquorice Festival.

A number of free sweet-themed workshops are also being planned during the event, including liquorice jewellery making, biscuit decorating and mask-making.

More than 80 different market stalls offering food, drink and crafts will line the town centre on the day.

Unusual liquorice products will also be sold this year including liquorice beer, pies, toffee, fudge, tea, cupcakes and chutneys.

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The event is being organised to celebrate Pontefract’s historic association with the Middle Eastern plant.

Liquorice fast became a favourite of sweet-lovers when the famous Pontefract cakes were first produced.

Historian Tom Dixon will return next month as a guest speaker in Pontefract Library during the festival. He will give talks on the history of liquorice from 11.30am-12.30pm and 2.30pm-3.30pm.

The sessions are free This is free of charge but places are limited. A free park and ride service will run in the town centre from 9am-5pm.

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Local business Tangerine Confectionary is sponsoring the event. For more information about the festival contact Wakefield Visitor Centre on 0345 601 8353 or visit www.wakefield.gov.uk.

To get involved on Twitter during the event use the hastag #liquoricefest.

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