Huge crowds for Ely food and drink festival - culmination of a fantastic weekend of celebrations in the city

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

The city was rammed on both days and visitors vied for any of the hundreds of spaces as they became available.

Not that queues are something new to the city – the day before thousands piled into Ely to enjoy the eel day festivities.

Brian Turner, the original TV chef, opened proceedings on Sunday and found huge crowds following his every move at his cookery demonstrations.

TV chef Rosemary Shrager was the guest on Monday and drew an equally and enthusiastic audience.

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

“What an amazing weekend it’s been, with a brilliant eel day, an incredible food and drink Festival and the biggest eel food safari we’ve ever seen,” said a breathless spokesman for Visit Ely as the three days of celebrations drew to a close.

Councillor Lis Every agreed it had been a thrilling weekend.

“Thank you to Tracey Harding, her team and her family for putting on this marvellous three-day event,” she said.

“Many thanks also to the sponsors and stall holders and, of course, the thousands who flocked into Ely. We look forward to seeing you back next year”

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Visit Ely paid tribute to the sponsors who had supoorted the food and drink festival including G’s Fresh, Labour-Tech Recruitment Ltd, Lancaster Way business park.Ely, Lovewell Blake, English Spirit Distillery, The Cutter Inn, Grand Central Restaurants, Riverside Bar & Kitchen and Whizzle Ltd.

They also thanked Ely Hereward Rotary Club and Ely Rotary Club for their support “and an extra big thank you to everyone who attended to make this the biggest and best weekend in Ely.”

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Crowds gather for Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Rosemary Shrager was on top form entertaining a large audience for her cookery demonstration at Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Rosemary Shrager was on top form entertaining a large audience for her cookery demonstration at Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Rosemary Shrager was on top form entertaining a large audience for her cookery demonstration at Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Rosemary Shrager was on top form entertaining a large audience for her cookery demonstration at Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Brian Turner drew a huge crowd to watch his cookery demonstration at Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Rosemary Shrager was on top form entertaining a large audience for her cookery demonstration at Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Rosemary Shrager was on top form entertaining a large audience for her cookery demonstration at Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Brian Turner drew a huge crowd to watch his cookery demonstration at Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Brian Turner drew a huge crowd to watch his cookery demonstration at Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Brian Turner drew a huge crowd to watch his cookery demonstration at Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Brian Turner drew a huge crowd to watch his cookery demonstration at Ely’s annual Food and Drink festival. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)