The Tour of Britain is one of the country's biggest sporting events and, combined with the Norfolk Food and Drink Festival's 'Taste the Best of Norfolk' event, this free entry event will appeal to all and provide a fun family day out.

You don't need to be seriously into cycling to get caught up in the excitement – with some of the world's top cyclists racing through Norfolk's towns and villages within feet of spectators, the race is expected to bring 'Tour' fever to the crowds along the route and you could be at the finish line at the Norfolk showground.

The finish event will cater for all tastes and ages, with children's activities, music, entertainment, arts and crafts – plus the spectacular race finish in the afternoon. And to celebrate the county's best food and drink, the EDP Adnams Norfolk Food and Drink Festival 2012, in association with Norfolk County Council, has arranged a feast of more than 50 of the best local producers offering free tastings and the opportunity for you to buy truly Norfolk produce.

There will be cookery demonstrations in the Mary Kemp Cookery Theatre. Chefs include all four of this year's festival patrons, Galton Blackiston, Chris Coubrough, Richard Hughes and Vanessa Scott. There is a full programme of entertainment throughout the day, including village green activities and a village pub for that all important pint! For the youngsters there's face painting, a food trail around the whole site, a Norfolk Young Farmers' model farm, and the marvellous Sausage-Making Factory.

With so much to choose from it's a day that's too good to miss. Come for lunch and enjoy the day and be set to welcome the Tour of Britain cyclists to the showground from 2.45pm. The last 1km of the race will be around the Norfolk showground.

A quick word of thanks to Norfolk County Council and South Norfolk Council for their support in running this joint event, to Jane Miller, Produced in Norfolk (PIN) co-ordinator, and Clare Millar, Norfolk Food and Drink Festival co-ordinator and all the many volunteers who are supporting and organising what is set to be a fantastic day out for all the family.

We are continually been made aware of the benefits of buying locally and eating seasonally produced produce and now is your opportunity to meet and try out food and drink goodies from many of the specialist producers in our county has to offer. All these producers have a real passion for producing the very best that Norfolky has to offer. Come along, join in and taste the best of Norfolk.

For full details, see www.norfolkfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk