Organisers of a Suffolk sausage festival have been inundated with praise from businesses and visitors after their most successful event in its history.
The Great Framlingham Sausage Festival’s latest celebration of the British banger is estimated to have brought a record 10,000 people to the town on Sunday, October 8.
Visitors were able to take a “sausage trail” around the town, sampling 18 varieties from 15 different producers, while enjoying a variety of entertainment from musical performances and workshops to silent discos.
The Framlingham Business Association (FBA), which organised the event, has since been able to collate visitor numbers and feedback, and said it was “delighted to report the most successful sausage festival yet”.
“About 10,000 visitors descended on the town to sample 18 different sausages or simply to enjoy the entertainment, trade stands and atmosphere,” added Jenny Stockman of the FBA.
Feedback from visitors has seen the event described as “one of the most wonderful days out”, a “fantastic day” and “an excellent way to promote the town”. “Framlingham was really buzzing,” one visitor commented.
This year’s event was the first to be held on a Sunday, which Mrs Stockman said achieved a more relaxed atmosphere and was appreciated by the visitors, entertainers and producers alike.
Businesses in the town, many of which opened on Sunday to benefit from the extra visitors, have also reported an increase in footfall, with visitors from across the country.
“One business reportedly enjoyed a nine-fold increase in trade for the day, with many reaching at least double their normal turnover,” Mrs Stockman added.
Another positive development from the festival will see the winning sausages produced by Suffolk Black Pigs featured at the “big family barbecue”, which will be part of the revamped Framlingham Gala next May.
“This is really exciting and a great win for Suffolk Black Pigs,” Mrs Stockman said.
Proceeds from the festival will be invested in projects to benefit the Framlingham community or to groups and charities in the town.
Next year’s festival will be held on Sunday, October 14, 2018.
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