Food Rocks Christmas at Hickstead
There's a brand new Festival at Hickstead on 14th December. Food Rocks Christmas is a day of seasonal fun for all the family: sensational food, drink and boutique gift stalls, alongside a fairground, pony and trap rides, great live music, and a visit from Santa Claus himself.
The day will be hosted by MasterChef: The Professionals winner Steven Edwards. 
The Festival is a celebration of amazing local food and drink and offers visitors the opportunity to buy directly from award-winning farmers and artisan producers. Expect a wide range of Christmas foodie treats: the finest locally reared meats, the freshest fish, seasonal fruit and vegetables, homemade cakes and confectionery, artisan bread and a host of craft ales, ciders, spirits and carefully selected wines.
There is also the opportunity to buy your traditional free range Christmas turkey from Bridgers Farm of Hurstpeirpoint, the only turkey producers in the whole of Sussex who are accredited with the Golden Turkey Guarantee. A specially created road of Street Food trucks and stalls will offer a huge variety of global cuisines and each cooked with exceptional, local, seasonal ingredients.
The event, a partnership between Hickstead and Sussex-based food events company Food Rocks, reflects Hickstead Showground’s commitment to promoting local produce and its dedication to providing high quality food and drink at their equestrian events.
There is also a chance to find a Christmas gift that’s a little out of the ordinary. The Vintage Rocks Market features a hand-picked range of high quality vintage, craft and homeware stalls: handmade jewellery, clothes, toys, books, kitchenware, artwork and all manner of interesting artefacts and unique curiosities.
"Street Food has come a long way from the days of burnt burgers and salmonella sausages served from rusty handcarts! We have carefully selected some of the very best traders from Sussex and beyond, with everything from Lamb burgers served from a custom-built Shepherd’s Hut to Thai curries cooked in a 1957 Citroen H Van and even traditional German Christmas Food served from a converted yellow American School Bus."
Simon Teesdale of Food Rocks
For children and the young at heart there will be a funfair, pony and trap rides and festive street entertainment from Circus Pazaz. There is also a chance to meet Santa and his elf helper in his grotto, with gifts for all visitors. Pre-booking a time slot is advised.
A festive atmosphere will be created by live folk and blues music from the likes of Red Butler and Bryony Brooke. And there will be plenty of cosy corners, fire pits and heaters to keep the cold at bay. Entry is only £4 for adults and £2 for children under 18.
The event supports Seeds for Development, a charity helping the poorest people in Uganda kick poverty out of their lives through farming. More at www.seedsfordevelopment.org
For more information and tickets go to www.foodrockssouth.co.uk