Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Barnstaple Pannier Market was transformed into a bustling creative hub as crowds gathered for the latest Connect and Create festival celebrating independent makers, artists and local businesses.
The Blossom-themed event filled the historic market with live music, workshops, street food and stalls from creatives across the South West, attracting visitors throughout the day for a celebration of community and independent enterprise.
Held on Sunday, May 17, the festival marked the first in a series of four seasonal Connect and Create events planned for this year at the market.
Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)Connect and Create Blossom festival at Barnstaple Pannier Market (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Visitors browsed a wide range of independent traders and artisan stalls while enjoying performances and interactive activities designed to showcase the region’s creative talent.
Hannah Harrington, Place Manager, said: “Events like Connect and Create play a vital role in bringing people into the town centre and showcasing the incredible talent we have across North Devon and the wider Southwest.
“Barnstaple Pannier Market is the perfect setting for these festivals that celebrate creativity, community and independent businesses.”
Event organiser Chay West said the festival had been designed to support the South West’s independent creative scene.
Chay said: “Connect and Create was designed to celebrate the amazing independent makers, artists and creatives we have here in the Southwest.
“These festivals are all about bringing people together – supporting small businesses, learning new skills through workshops, enjoying great food and music, and creating a space where creativity can truly thrive.”
The Connect and Create series will continue later this year with two Nirvana-themed festivals on Sunday, August 9 and Sunday, August 30, followed by Invierno on Sunday, November 22.
Organisers said visitors should follow Connect and Create and Barnstaple Pannier Market social media channels for announcements about trader line-ups, workshops and live performances at future events.
