GIANT SEAGULLS and friendly seals are set to descend on Portaferry this Saturday, as the town holds the first Peninsula Food Showcase.
The event, organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, will run from noon until 6pm on Saturday July 30 and is the first in a series of events which will take place around the Ards Peninsula from July until October to celebrate Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink.
The showcase gives food lovers the chance to sample local produce from artisan producers and pick up some tips from top chefs at live cookery demonstrations, while the kids have fun with giant seagulls and a 'two-metre long friendly seal' as part of the event's street theatre programme.
Portaferry Visitor Information Centre are holding a family fun day on the same day with ‘Clayrazy’ and glitter tattoos. This free event runs from 2pm to 4pm. There will also be an Open Day and Marine Discovery at the Queen's University Marine Laboratory running from 10am to 4pm.
Alderman Deborah Girvan, Mayor of Ards and North Down said that showcase gave the area the chance to show off the "wonderful food we catch and cook."
“Ards and North Down has around 115 miles of coastline: one of the longest stretches in Northern Ireland. Fishing has been a major industry in the area for many years. Local communities such as Portavogie - which is the second largest fishing port in Northern Ireland after Kilkeel and home of the Portavogie prawn - remain at the centre of the trade today," she said.
"It’s no surprise that we catch and cook some of the best seafood imaginable".
The same day will see the Skiffie World Coastal Rowing Championships come to Strangford. Competitors from around the world will take part in the "colourful and friendly celebration of coastal rowing" before a exciting programme of food and family events to close the 2016 Championships.
For more information, phone Ards Visitor Information Centre on 028 9182 6846 or visit www.visitardsandnorthdown.com
