The UK's largest barbeque festival was held at Maldon's Promenade Park over the Bank Holiday Weekend, prompting mixed reviews from residents and visitors.

With its unique mix of barbecue food, live music, and eating competitions, the Smoke & Fire Festival attracted thousands of people.

Festival Manager Matty Townsend spoke to Nub News on Monday (August 28).

"We love this spot in Promenade Park," he said.

Activities included a rodeo, in which anyone who managed to stay on the ride until the end would receive a free can of cider. (Photos: Ben Shahrabi)

Thanks to a mix of online and in-person ticket sales, the event saw thousands of families take part.

"We're looking at around 5,000 people a day over the weekend, which has been really great," Matty added.

Shane Fountain, owner of Big Beard's BBQ, and Ricky Lockyer, owner of Slim Rick's Smokehouse, ran a stall demonstrating Polish-made Borniak smokers. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

The event aimed to "curate a line-up of the best barbeque food in the UK". It hosted the British Freestyle BBQ Championships, welcoming teams to compete in a range of categories.

Organisers held two extreme eating competitions each day, including extra spicy chicken wings and raw chillies.

First held in Maldon in 2017, the event moved to Colchester in 2021, before returning to the town this year. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

Festivalgoers Emily Mullem and brothers Albert and Henry Baker had breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the event.

Emily said: "There's a lot of choice. We had a 'smash burger' earlier - that was unreal."

Albert Baker, Emily Mullem, and Henry Baker praised the wide range of food and drink on offer. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

"We've really enjoyed it, Henry added.

"Good food, good beer – happy days!"

Rockabilly, country, and blues music was also on offer on the music stage. Meanwhile, the demonstration stage served up appearances from renowned barbeque chefs like American TV personality Tuffy Stone.

American celebrity chef Tuffy Stone gave a cooking demonstration. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

For children, a free circus school was held over the weekend. Funfair rides, sweet stalls and other activities were also on offer.

General feedback from customers on-site is said to have been good. However Nub News received numerous complaints about the £19.80 adults' entry fee, coupled with an additional £4.80 fee to bring visitors' dogs.

When asked about ticket prices, Matty responded: "It's cheaper than an average festival. You get a full day out, with music, children's entertainment and competitions included."

Family tickets provided entry for two adults and two children for £40.

Cars were seen blocking pavements, driveways, and junctions - many had received fines. (Photos: Nub News)

Due to the volume of cars arriving for the event, car parking facilities were already at capacity on Saturday. On Facebook, organisers urged visitors to "seek alternative parking".

One visitor responded: "You'd better sort out parking and access for next year, because this year was dire."

In some cases, residents complained of being "harassed" by motorists, pressuring them into allowing them to park outside their homes.

Extensive traffic queues caused gridlock in the town, especially along Park Drive. (Photo: Nub News)

On Saturday, extra traffic wardens were reportedly called in from Burnham On Crouch to help tackle illegal parking.

The next event to be held at Promenade Park will be Active Training World's 'Big East' Middle Distance Triathlon this Saturday (September 2).

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