Thousands of residents and visitors came together as the Pontefract Liquorice Festival returned for another successful year, with HARIBO UK once again supporting this sweet celebration as the headline sponsor. Local schools, community groups and organisations from West Yorkshire all played their part in ensuring this year’s celebrations brought joy to all attending.
We joined festivalgoers in one of Yorkshire’s most celebrated cultural events, offering visitors the chance to enjoy its iconic Pontefract Cakes and discover liquorice treats from around the world. Our iconic mascot, Goldbear, also made a welcome return, delighting crowds as he joined the parade from Pontefract Town Hall to Pontefract Castle. A firm favourite with visitors of all ages, Goldbear joined fellow performers throughout the day, bringing plenty of fun, smiles, and childlike happiness to all.
Behind the Scenes
Volunteers, organisers, and local partners worked together to deliver another successful event, creating a warm welcome for thousands of visitors in glorious sunshine demonstrating the strength that comes from local partnerships.
The festival highlighted how the area’s historic connection to sweet-making and liquorice continues to bring generations together, welcoming returning and new visitors to celebrate one of Yorkshire’s most distinctive traditions.
Tabea Powell, Head of Communications at HARIBO UK, said:
“Yet again the Pontefract Liquorice Festival did not disappoint – bringing thousands of visitors together to celebrate an iconic annual event, with Team HARIBO and Goldbear out in full force to bring childlike happiness to the celebrations. As a Yorkshire business that has proudly called the region home for more than 50 years, we’re honoured to have supported the festival for a third consecutive year, and hope the parade, colourful stalls, and brilliant atmosphere created memories for visitors to cherish”
