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Packed Pontefract celebrates the Liquorice Festival with HARIBO Liquorice Parade

The Pontefract Liquorice Festival was back again with HARIBO UK as the headline sponsor.

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The streets of Pontefract were filled with childlike happiness as residents and tourists came together to celebrate the annual Liquorice Festival, with HARIBO UK as the headline sponsor for the second year running.

The festival featured over 50 stalls selling liquorice-themed products. From liquorice sausage rolls, cheddar cheese, stout, and gin, there was a fitting treat for everyone. As headline sponsor, our HARIBO stall offered the iconic Pontefract Cakes, international HARIBO liquorice products from France and Germany, as well as limited-edition merchandise exclusive to the festival.

The highlight of today was the HARIBO Liquorice Parade, led by Goldbear and starting at our Pontefract factory. The parade featured exclusive HARIBO-themed costumes – including the much-loved Pontefract Cakes as well as sweets from our latest innovation Nostalgix, a product inspired by classic hard-boiled sweets.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, local MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, came along to join the day’s bright festivities and opened the festival alongside Mayor of Wakefield, Cllr Maureen Tennant-King.

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Liquorice holds a special place in Pontefract, HARIBO and Yorkshire’s rich confectionery history. Since acquiring Dunhills in 1972, we have upheld the town’s liquorice-making tradition by producing the iconic Pontefract Cakes.

We are proud of our Yorkshire heritage. Through the recent £35m investment in a new warehouse, production, and packing line at its Castleford site and the headline sponsorship of the Liquorice Festival for the second year running, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to Yorkshire for the long-term.

Commenting on the festival, Tabea Powell, Head of Communications at HARIBO UK said: “As we learned from last year, the Pontefract Liquorice Festival doesn’t disappoint and team HARIBO were out in full force. From the array of local businesses offering such a vibrant range of liquorice-themed products to the HARIBO Liquorice Parade led by Goldbear, there were countless special moments to cherish. We are honoured to be headline sponsor of this iconic festival that is such an exciting date in the town’s cultural calendar.”

Secretary of State for the Home Department Yvette Cooper said: ‘The Liquorice Festival is always a fantastic event and an opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate our heritage. Pontefract Cakes have been made here for 250 years, including for the past 50 years by HARIBO in Pontefract & Castleford. It was great to see so many people enjoying the event in the sunshine. Thank you for HARIBO, Wakefield Council and Pontefract Civic Society for supporting a great weekend’.

Cllr Hannah Appleyard, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport
said: “This year’s Pontefract Liquorice Festival was a fantastic event, which saw the town centre packed with families enjoying a fabulous day out. With a vibrant parade, colourful market stalls, a great atmosphere and great entertainment, it was a fitting celebration of Pontefract’s unique association with liquorice.”

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