Seafood fans are in for a tasty treat as the Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival returns to the Barbican and Sutton Harbour on Saturday and Sunday September 17 and 18 September.
There will be free fishy fun for all the family and the chance to taste some of the finest fayre the ocean has to offer.
Organised by the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership (PWP), the free festival is a vibrant celebration of the incredible, sustainably caught fresh fish and seafood on offer in Britain’s Ocean City, home of the UK’s first National Marine Park. Cooking demonstrations, street food, crafting, entertainment and children’s activities – including a how to catch a ‘Fish Finger’ workshop and a sea life trail – will all be on offer over the two days.
Throughout the weekend the Cookery Theatre on West Pier, next to the Mayflower Steps, will be busy with chefs from some of Plymouth’s popular restaurants; including Supha’s the Treasury, Rockfish, St Elizabeth’s House, the Boathouse and Hook and Line.
They will be joined by colleagues from the University of Plymouth and Cornwall and City Colleges, to share how they cook and prepare delicious seafood recipes.
The secrets of the deep and its inhabitants will also be explored by the team from the National Marine Aquarium.
Street food will be in abundance with stalls along The Parade, Quay Square and West Pier. They’ll be selling delicious food and drink to enjoy on the day as well as special treats to take home.
Trawler boats from Interfish will be moored alongside, and visitors can find out about the fisherman’s experiences out on the ocean.
Meanwhile experts at Plymouth Trawler Agents will show just how to fillet, prepare and eat a sustainable catch. They’ll also have a fantastic display showing species found in the local waters. At 4pm on Sunday the fish will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to the Fisherman’s Mission charity.
There will be plenty of fun for children too, including scallop shell painting, ‘hook a duck’ with the Fisherman’s Mission, colouring-in and the walking trail to seek out resident artist Debbie Mason’s 10 beautiful sea life illustrations.
The Ocean Conservation Trust will be entertaining and challenging the crowds with games to play, including a sinking sharks STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) challenge, a fisherperson dress-up game, how to catch a ‘Fish Finger’ workshop, as well as a variety of artefacts on display.
At 11.30am on both days from their stand, visitors can learn more about the inner workings of the squid with a fascinating dissection!
On Saturday, it’s the much-anticipated return of the Cardboard Boat Race. With just cardboard and sticky tape, participants will put their skills to the test and build a boat to sail a course around the harbour.
The test of this awesome IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers) event is to be the last one to sink! This sticky-backed ship-building challenge will take place on Saturday between 9am and 4.30pm at the PDSSA Boathouse, Commercial Wharf.
On Sunday also on Commercial Wharf, the Barbican Theatre will be putting on a great family-friendly comedy show at 3pm. Laugh along with Plymouth Assembleth’s ‘Shodysse’ a hilarious romp through mythology – suitable for ages eight and upwards.
The Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival is presented by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, with the support of event sponsors Eco-Plug, Sutton Harbour Group, Sound Seafood, Venton’s Devon Cyder and Plymouth City Council.
Find out more about the Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival at www.visitplymouth.co.uk/seafoodandharbourfest
