Shepherd Neame has returned as the lead sponsor for this year’s Faversham hop festival (2-3 September).

Following the successful revival of the Kent festival after a two-year break last year, organisers have begun preparations for the 2023 event with Shepherd Neame back as principal sponsor.

Director of non-profit festival organisers Community Heritage Events Colin Jones said: “We are delighted to announce that preparations for Hop Fest 2023 are well and truly underway.

“We are grateful to the sponsors who have already signed up to support this year’s festival. This is a great start, giving us confidence to plan ahead. But it is only a start.”

The event costs £100,000 to stage and last year’s event was made possible through a community fundraising campaign.

Sheps has been supporting the event, which commemorates the golden days of hop picking in Kent, since it was first held 33 years ago.

Organisations interested in sponsoring the event should contact marketing@favershamhopfestival.org or call 01795 700132.