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Food has typically been an afterthought at festivals. Reduced to a sloppy plate of chips wolfed down between acts, or a burger that costs the same as a small country’s GDP and tastes like it’s just been picked up out of the mud of the nearest mosh pit.
Recent years though has seen a positive shift towards more quality street food establishments, and it looks to be reaching its pinnacle at this year’s bluedot as they announce a new VIP Village in association with food charity Eat Well MCR.
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The new VIP Village, in partnership with Bruntwood, will host an award-winning rotation of restaurants and food brands at the festival including Hawksmoor, the Michelin-listed Where The Light Gets In, Manchester’s home of unique Thai tasting menus DISTRICT and ex-Baratxuri head chef Rachel Stockley.
You’ll also find Honest Crust, Blackbird Pantry and the excellent Maison Breizh, alongside a plush lounge area, massages(!) and complementary teas and coffees.
The new VIP experience will raise money for the charity Eat Well MCR, which help to deliver up to 1,000 meals a week, partnering with organisations in Greater Manchester that support people sidelined by poverty.
The announcement comes hot on the heels of recent additions to the award-winning music, science and culture festival’s family and science line-ups, and their first wave of artists that include headliners Björk, Groove Armada, and Mogwai
Taking place from 21st – 24th July, bluedot has been named ‘Best Medium Festival’ at the UK Festival Awards, and has quickly gained a position as one of the most hotly anticipated festivals in the country for families and music-lovers alike.
They’ve also recently added Kojey Radical, Mary Anne Hobbs and Warmduscher, plus science headliners Tim Peake and Brainiac Live to its 2022 line-up. The new additions land as the festival reveals its 2022 day splits – with day tickets set to be released 10am, Friday 25th March.
The new additions join an impressive family science offering programmed by Jodrell Bank. With over 30 hands-on science stalls and workshops, there’s something to engage all budding scientists.
Highlights include Live Science Shows from guests including Chester Zoo, Ancient Antarctic Ice Cores with British Antarctic Survey and Meet and Learn sessions from scientists including Sarah Crowther and The Volcanologists.
Celebrating the iconic setting of the festival, families will also be able to walk beneath the iconic Lovell Telescope, take in late-night Stargazing sessions and explore the wider areas including Woodland Glade Nature Trials, the Whispering Dishes and The Jodrell Bank Arboretum.
Festival director Ben Robinson said: “After a two-year hiatus, our fifth instalment of bluedot looks set to be one of our best yet. Welcoming Tim Peake to Jodrell Bank alongside huge musical acts including Björk, Groove Armada and Mogwai to excite and inspire festival goers under the Lovell Telescope is going to be really special.
“Jodrell Bank is a jaw-dropping location and the perfect place to be inspired as a family by the wonders of science and culture, with hands on workshops, electrifying experiences and hilariously engaging shows. We can’t wait to be back in action.”
For tickets and information visit: discoverthebluedot.com
