A NEW Caribbean festival could be coming to a Southend park with live music, food, drink and fun for all the family.

S&A Entertainment, which hosts a number of festivals across the country, has revealed its plan to host a “Taste of the Caribbean” food and drink festival in Priory Park in September.

The firm has submitted an application for a premises licence and tickets are currently on sale for the event. It is intended to be a two-day festival taking place throughout the September 7 weekend.

Bosses behind the application have stated this would be “an unforgettable outdoor street food experience, with food from different islands of the Caribbean, live music, funfair rides and rum punch”.

Southend resident Lesley Taylor was excited to hear about the proposed event. She said: “It sounds amazing.

“I love events in our area, especially different cultures coming together and everyone enjoying food and music.

“We need events to bring everyone together. We may be a city now but we need to get the community spirit back with events like this. I would definitely go.”

It comes as Priory Park becomes the go-to spot for festivals in Southend, with the LazyDays Festival next month, the Cider and Sausage Festival and an Ibiza Orchestra night all booked in.

Another resident, Helen McGhee Shine, added: “All festivals are welcomed here in Southend.

“It is great to have a whole good range of different style and types of celebrations of culture, food and drink.

“A Caribbean festival is beautiful, colourful and above all uplifting with vibrant decor, tasty offerings of a range of new and favoured cuisine to try and the music brings happiness and joy that we all need.

“A real feel-good festival for all to enjoy. We are looking forward to a summer here in Southend full of festival vibes and happy times.”

An application has been submitted for the sale of alcohol on the premises, as well as for live music to be played between 10am and 10pm.

Alongside “signature Caribbean dishes, mouth-watering street food vendors, and an artisan market”, the festival would offer “sizzling cookery demonstrations by renowned celebrity chefs, lively entertainment on the music stage with reggae, Motown, and R&B beats, as well as fun-filled children’s activities for a true family day out”.

Visit tasteofcaribbeanuk.com/product/southend-on-sea/