What’s it all about?
Newquay Fish Festival has been running for a decade and gives Newquay an opportunity to showcase one of its hidden gems …its harbour. Growing in popularity each year the festival attracts thousands of visitors over the weekend who sample delicious fish dishes, watch local chefs rustle up amazing food from local produce and enjoy entertainment from Last Night of the Proms to local groups.
What happens?
The practical cookery demonstrations by local chefs are undoubtedly the highlight of the festival, with hotels and restaurants promoting local fresh fish and shellfish and locally available produce. In addition to the purely ‘fish’ related elements, the festival has a number of trade stands promoting Cornish produce and crafts, together with a hospitality area and a range of entertainment from local choirs and bands to a sandcastle competition and ‘fishy’ encounters organised by the town’s Blue Reef Aquarium.
How can you take part?
The food, craft and arts tents bring together the best of Cornwall's local produce where you can sample everything from traditional pasties and Cornish cakes to curry, crepes and chocolate fountains while on the harbour quay there’s an all-day fish barbecue serving fresh battered fish available free for a small donation to the Fisherman's Mission. There’s a chance to taste the results of the flamboyant cookery demonstrations, learn how to fillet a fish, listen to a few sea shanties, watch some street theatre and dancing on the harbour and join in the open air ‘Songs of Praise’ at the harbour on Sunday evening which ends the festival.
Did you know?
Newquay’s Huer’s Hut, a white washed centuries old building perched on the cliff above the harbour, was once used to spot pilchard shoals out to sea. The Huer would then alert fishermen of their arrival by shouting “Heva, Heva”
Info:
www.newquayfishfestival.co.uk/
Location: Newquay
Watch a short video from the 2010 festival, please note the dates at the end of the film are from 2010, this year it's held from September 14-16.