Packed Pontefract Celebrates HARIBO Liquorice Parade
HARIBO recently celebrated their history and connection to the local community by taking on the mantle of headline sponsor for the much loved Pontefract Liquorice Festival.
Sunday 14th of July saw the eagerly anticipated Liquorice Festival return to Pontefract with HARIBO UK supporting as head sponsor of the event for the first time. We spent the day proudly celebrating our local heritage in Yorkshire- our home for over 50 years!
In a festival that saw the streets of Pontefract packed with residents and tourists, visitors enjoyed a liquorice-filled day experiencing a host of stalls featuring local products as well as HARIBO favourites. They were also able to witness the striking HARIBO Liquorice Parade led by the iconic Goldbear and exclusive HARIBO-themed costumes representing some of the nation’s most loved sweets.
The festival featured speeches from the Member of Parliament for Normanton, Pontefract, and Castleford, and now Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper MP and Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin. On the stage they were accompanied by the Leader of Wakefield Council Denise Jeffery, along with Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport Councillor Michelle Collins and Councillor Natalie Walton, Deputy Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport. A common theme throughout the speeches was the rich history of liquorice, and the part that HARIBO has played in this throughout the past 50 years, along with a show of spirit and community ever present in the region, as shown by the incredible turnout.
Commenting on the festival, Tabea Powell, Head of Corporate Communications at HARIBO UK
said: “Team HARIBO thoroughly enjoyed our first year as headline sponsor of the Liquorice Festival. From the HARIBO Liquorice Parade to the local businesses selling such a fantastic range of local products, it really was an event to remember. We’re proud to be embedded in the community here and this festival perfectly aligns with our values of bringing childlike happiness to everyone.”
Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary and MP for Pontefract, Normanton and Castleford, commented: "The Liquorice Festival is always one of the highlights of the year. It's a great celebration of our heritage and a chance for the whole town to come together. Thank you to HARIBO for sponsoring such a great day. Alongside the liquorice root and sweets, my favourite is Farmer Copley’s liquorice pork pies, as well as the liquorice gin, which goes surprisingly well with ginger beer. It was an honour to open the day with West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffrey."
Despite the rain on the day, thousands of people gathered in Pontefract to enjoy the festivities, further demonstrating just how much Liquorice means to the local community of West Yorkshire and Liquorice lovers throughout the country!
