The date of this year’s Menai Seafood Festival has been announced. The Festival, now in its fourth year, will be held on Saturday 20 August, with a Festival concert at Prince’s Pier on the evening of Friday 19 August.
The annual event was set up four years ago to help boost the regional fishing economy, promote local produce and celebrate Anglesey’s coastal heritage.
Once again this year, the family-friendly Festival in Menai Bridge will feature food demonstrations, local produce market, live music and poetry, and interactive activities for children.
In the run up to the event, the Festival’s education programme will see chefs, marine biologists, poets and illustrators going in to six local schools to educate young people about the food, environment and heritage surrounding the coast of north west Wales, culminating in a public display of art around the town ahead of the event.
The Festival is run by a group of local businesses and volunteers, and organised in conjunction with Gorau Môn/Best of Anglesey Food Group, Anglesey Farmers’ Market and the Fisheries Local Action Group.
The group is Chaired by David Evans and Phil Austin. David, from Dylan’s Restaurant who helped found the event and chaired the first 2 festivals, said: “I’m very happy to be co-chairing the Festival committee again this year. Year on year we’ve seen it grow and it’s fair to say that it’s now established itself as one of the highlights of the north Wales food event calendar.
“In total, the last three Festivals have attracted over 45,000 visitors and we estimate that in excess of £750,000 has been spent directly during the events. Furthermore, local fishermen, farmers and producers have been given the opportunity to showcase their goods and develop their businesses. The Festival has also helped boost the reputation of Menai Bridge as a first class food destination.”
He added: “Menai Seafood Festival is a not for profit event, and we are very lucky to have support from a number of sponsors and a strong team of volunteers giving their time up for free. But our aim has always been to make the event as sustainable as possible for the future. With this in mind and under significant budgetary pressure, we will be charging a nominal entrance fee of £3 for adults and £2 concessions with entry for children free. This will help cover the costs of holding the event and make sure that it can continue to flourish.”
A fundraising dinner will be held at Dylan’s, Menai Bridge on 3 March. Tickets are priced at £60, to include 5 courses plus wine and guest speakers. Tickets are available by phoning the restaurant on 01248 716714.
More information about the Festival will be posted on the website, www.menaiseafoodfestival.com over the coming weeks and months.
The first festival meeting of 2016 will be held on Wednesday 17th february at 6.30 at the Community Centre in Menai Bridge. Anyone interested in becoming involved as a volunteer is welcome to attend the meeting.