A 'Herring Dance', an all-Island trawler race and a sea swimming challenge are just some of the highlights taking place under the banner of the second annual Queenie Festival this summer.

Conceived as a 'celebration of the sea', the Festival, which takes place 9th - 11th July, brings together a diversity of interests in a vibrant community event.

After the success of the inaugural Festival, plans are now well underway to make sure that this year's event is another resounding success.

This year, instead of taking place over a week, the Festival will be run from Friday to Sunday evening, making the packed programme of events accessible to as many people as possible.

The Festival opens on Friday evening (9th July), on Port Erin Beach, which will be the setting for the 'Sure Beach Party'.  Sponsored by Sure Mobile, this promises to be a great family event, with games, food stalls, live storytelling and a possible mass charity dip.

During the daytime on Saturday and Sunday (10th - 11th July), the action will centre around Paddy's Market and the Alfred Pier in Port St Mary, where there'll be a dizzying amount of activities and entertainment.

Live music, Manx dancing, cookery demonstrations, fresh food, craft stalls and model boats will be just some of the attractions awaiting festivalgoers.

The Manx Wildlife Trust will be returning with their touch tanks, giving children the chance to meet undersea creatures 'face to face', and Basking Shark boat trips will offer further wild encounters.

The Fairly Famous Family will be making a welcome return to the Island, and there'll be some truly unique live entertainment in the form of a traditional  'Scallop Dance' demonstration, being given by none other than our own Quentin Gill, MHK - plus special guests!

Sporting types will be spoilt for choice, with chances to try kayaking, diving, snorkelling (and possibly kitesurfing), as well as participate in an open water swim from Port St Mary to Gansey.

Last year, the 'Daunce ny Skeddan (Herring Dance)' event, in the Stonefield in Port St Mary, was a rapid sell-out, and it promises to be equally popular this year, so don't miss out on this lively evening of music and dance.
 

People who searched in vain last year for the coveted Golden Queenie will be pleased to know that the challenge is to run again, once more supported by Celtic Gold in Peel.  Keep an eye on the press for details of the launch and further Festival news as it comes!

For more information about the 2010 Queenie Festival, including how you can get involved, simply visit www.queeniefestival.com

If you would like to sponsor the Marine Weekend or co-sponsor the Golden Queenie Quest, please contact Tim Croft: timcroft@islandseafare.co.uk or call (01624) 834494. 

Queenie Festival Makes Independent List of Top UK Food Festivals

Despite being a relatively new event, the Queenie Festival has already made it on to The Independent's list of summer food festivals taking place around the UK.

The choices have been hand-picked by food writers David Graham and Fiona Roberts, who describe the Festival as a chance to "celebrate the Island's world renowned Queen Scallops, or Queenies as they're known locally".

Pictured: Last year's beach party on the sands at Port Erin, this year to return as the 'Sure Beach Party'.