Following last year's success, the Isle of Man will be hosting its second Queenie Festival this summer, from 29th June to 5th July.
The food festival centres on a celebration of the Manx Queenie, a renowned local delicacy. The organisers, Island Seafare, are hoping to build on the success of last year's event, which included seafood beach BBQs, celebrity cooking demonstrations, recipe competitions, live music and public tasting events. The finale to the festival - 'Marine Day: A Celebration of the Sea'- attracted some 3,000 people to Port St Mary, including UK television crews and celebrity TV chefs The Hairy Bikers.
'Bikers' Dave Myers and Si King said of last year's festival, 'The Isle of Man Queenie Festival is a must. The Queenie Scallop is one of the culinary treasures of Britain and here, you can learn how to utilise this sustainable, tasty product. The Isle of Man produces the best Queenie Scallops in the world, so where better to discover this than amongst the boats and fishermen of the wonderful Isle of Man? With all the other attractions on offer, it’s a great event.'
This year's Queenie Festival will take place in several locations in the south of the Island. Many of the events within the festival will showcase drama groups and street theatre, and the efforts of school children and volunteers. It is a true community event, with many ways to get involved and make a contribution.
Once again the Queenie Festival finale will be the Marine Day, to be held around Paddy's Market on Port St Mary's Albert Pier, on Saturday 4th July. The Day will include a number of attractions including touch tanks, seafood barbecues, cooking demonstrations, marine lectures, local music, model fishing boats and fishing demonstrations.
Island Seafare's Tim Croft, Event Organiser, commented, 'This is all about concentrating on our assets, identifying what sets us apart: our superb Manx Queenies, wonderful marine coastline and great potential for leisure and recreation.
'Embracing these elements in a festival atmosphere makes perfect sense. We must thank the Department of Tourism and Leisure and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for their ongoing support and to all the organising committee and volunteers for their valuable input. Make sure you put the dates in your diary now, as it promises to be an event not to be missed!'
It is hoped that the Isle of Man Queenie Festival will continue to expand and become a leading UK food festival appealing to many audiences, including lovers of food, wildlife, conservation and leisure.
For further details, including the latest news updates on the Manx Queenie Festival and a full events programme, please visit www.queeniefestival.com and keep checking isleofman.com News.
