Piña Colada Festival 2023 is Northwich at its very best

Piña Colada Festival 2023 looks set to be the biggest yet, with an estimated 26,000 people descending to make the most of the weather, extra-special cocktails, food, parades, fairground rides, music, dancing, games, and all manner of festive crafts.

Swinging Witch landlady, Emma Smith, said she bought an extra 150 bottles of rum to help service the town’s tropical cravings, and crowds queued along Witton Street past stacks of fresh pineapples all for the Dog’s extravagant – and rather strong – tipple.

Some of the Hebert family travelled all the way from Lincolnsire for what's now become a family tradition (Image: Newsquest)

The main stage on Apple Market Square had crowds getting extra funky as they grooved along to reggae classics, and families enjoyed crazy golf, old-fashioned carnival stalls, and selfie opportunities as visitors young and old took advantage of the warm weather and much-needed sunshine.

The festival is designed to be a boost for the town's businesses, with funds from almost everything on offer going straight into their pockets.

Dom Ogden's from the Salty Dog on Witton Street knows how to make a cocktail (Image: Newsquest)

And it wasn’t just the bars and pub. Interior design shop, Ivy Cottage Interiors, got in one act with a special alcohol licence for the day. 

Weaver Vale MP, Mike Amesbury, said: “What a delight to see Northwich so alive.

“It’s a thriving town with tremendous community spirit, but days like this really are the icing on the cake.  

Several bars were offering 'doggie' piña coladas (Image: Newsquest)

“I’m sorry to say I’m driving today, so no piña coladas me for me. I’m recently back from Mexico though, and I had plenty there.

“That’s how I’ve been expressing my solidarity with Northwich.”

The Kaushal and Agrey families show relaxing in style (Image: Newsquest)

Cheshire West and Northwich town councillor, Sam Naylor, said: “What a fantastic event, and a brilliant boost for Northwich.

“I’ve just been doing a tour of the Bull Ring, Barons Quay, and High Street, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen it so busy.

“We know there were 26,000 here for the first Now Northwich festival, but it looks like we’re beating that today.

Northwich town councillor Lee Siddall taking a short break from being 'Mr Pineapple' (Image: Newsquest)

“The town council and Northwich BID spend lots of money trying to bring people into the town, but this is different.

“We’ve paid for the stages and the music, but apart from that, this is all the work of our fantastic licenced premises.

“They’re raking it in, and that’s exactly what we want.”

Ivy Cottage Interiors team (L to R) Lea Williams, Charlotte Davies, Rachel Davies, and Mel Johnson refused to be left out (Image: Newsquest)

Northwich town councillor, Lee Siddall, said: “It’s absolutely incredible to see how many people have come this year.

“I’ve been chatting to families from all over the place, including Chester, Liverpool and Manchester, and they’re having a wonderful time.

“If anyone ever doubted Northwich is the events capital of Cheshire, they’ll have job keeping that up after today.

Northwich town mayor Cllr Jane Thomas, Northwich's own Mr Pineapple and CWAC Cllr Felicity Davies (Image: Newsquest)

“The main thing to remember is this is all about our local businesses.

“It’s a great way for them to make some real money so they can sustain themselves.

“I’m so proud of all the organisations who’ve helped to make today such a success.

“It just keeps getting bigger and better, year on year.

Ollie Rose, age 3, loving the carnival butterfly vibes (Image: Newsquest)

“I’d like to give a big a big shoutout to Adam Gerrard of Northwich BID. The work he’s put in through Northwich BID is beyond belief.

“He never takes enough credit.”

Venessa Hebert, who had travelled all the way from Lincolnshire for the festival, said: "We just love it here.

“We have family nearby and it’s a tremendous excuse to come and visit.

“We came last year, but there's even more going on this year.

“We’ve brought even more of the family with us.”

The Salty Dog on Witton Street went through more than a few fresh pineapples (Image: Newsquest)

Emma Smith, Landlady of the Swinging Witch on Witton Street, said: “We sold about 1,000 piña coladas last year, but today we’ve done that by 4.30pm.

“We bought an extra 150 bottles of rum, but as we’re open until 2am, it might not be enough.

“All the credit has got to go to the staff. They’re the real backbone of the business.”