And there’s a new date in the calendar – the Taste of the Sea event in Maryport on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 August.

That will be followed by the flagship festival in Cockermouth on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 September then the Taste Cumbria Christmas Festival on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 December. This year’s events will be smaller than usual to ensure visitor numbers are manageable, but there will still be plenty of activities taking place – all of them planned carefully with the latest covid guidance.

In Maryport, the entertainment will kick off on the Friday with the comedy night at The Wave. All day Saturday and Sunday, there will be a producers’ market at the top of Senhouse Street keeping shoppers firmly in the town centre, while Shipping Brow will be the location for live music, including shanties from the Port Sunlight Sea Dogs who have performed all over the UK.

Down on the harbour, there will be a hot food court, beer tent, cookery demonstrations and a picnic field next to the Shiver Me Timbers play area. There will be a children’s fairground with additional entertainment courtesy of Taste Cumbria favourites Rainbow Jelly Productions. Throughout the town, pubs and eateries will be getting involved too.

Looking forward to September in Cockermouth, there will be a producers market on Main Street, street party in Market Place and a beer tent and hot food court on Memorial Gardens Car Park. Ticketed events will include a comedy night and big community quiz. Elsewhere in town, there will be children’s activities and street theatre, and the chance to watch the professionals at work in the demo kitchen.

Councillor Mike Johnson is the leader of Allerdale Borough Council which organises Taste Cumbria. He said:

“We all know how incredibly hard it has been for Cumbrian businesses over the last year or so – particularly those who rely on festivals and events for their income.

“We really want to try to give everyone a boost and bring a smile to people’s faces so we hope that the return of Taste Cumbria can go a little way towards that. We think it is sensible

that the festival will be smaller than in previous years and we will still be encouraging everyone to keep on top of those very sensible measures like handwashing and giving their fellow festival-goers a bit of space.

“We want everyone to have a great weekend as you explore everything Maryport, Cockermouth and Allerdale as a whole has to offer.”

Fong Dawson, of Maryport Business Group, said:

“Taste Cumbria has been firmly in the calendar of food fans since 2010 and we are so pleased to welcome it to Maryport. It’s a chance to give our amazing independent businesses your support. Please put this date in your diary, come along and enjoy.”

Andrew Marshall, the chairman of Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade, said:

“We’ve always promoted Cockermouth as a great place to eat, drink, shop and explore and the town’s businesses cannot wait to welcome you back.”

For more information, email ellie.jones@allerdale.gov.uk . To book a stall click this link for Maryport or here for Cockermouth. Stall applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis and Cumbrian sellers do take priority.

Ticketing details for the entertainment will be announced soon.