Save the date – this year’s Dorset Seafood Festival will be held on the weekend of 7th-8th September, on the Weymouth Peninsula.
The award-winning festival, now in its 16th year, is recognised as one of the country’s landmark food and drink events, attracting upwards of 10,000 visitors to Weymouth, showcasing the town, the Dorset coast’s wonderful fish and shellfish and a whole host of amazing artisan Dorset businesses.
Over the years the festival has also raised more than £90,000 for the Fishermen’s Mission, becoming the charity’s largest annual event contributor.
Last year saw record crowds gather on the Peninsula over the festival weekend, enjoying the sunshine, an amazing choice of delicious, locally caught seafood, wonderful Dorset ales, fine English wines, great gifts and shopping, live music curated by The Leggomen, the chefs’ theatre stages and lots more family fun.
This year’s event promises even more of the same, after a group of committed local businesses and staunch festival supporters came together to take over the management and administration for the event when Founder and long-time Festival Director Laura Avent decided to step back from her role.
Sean Cooper, owner of Weyfish, the town’s harbourside fishmonger, and amongst those taking on responsibility for the Festival, says “The Festival is a very special platform for our spectacular local seafood, as well as the many growers and producers that make Dorset such a fantastic food and drink lovers’ destination.
“Importantly also, it’s a celebration of sustainability. The Weymouth fishing fleet is the archetype of sustainable fishing. Small, inshore day boats, using nets, pots and lines, catching enough to meet demand, with little or no waste. This town is an example for coastal communities nationwide.”
Building on Laura’s years of dedication to the festival, the new organisers already have some exciting plans for 2024, to be announced over the coming months.
New Event Director Pippa Gibb, from In the Bag PR, say “We’re discussing how to ensure the 2024 Festival achieves everything last year’s event did for the town – plus more. In particular, we want to make the most of the location. In the past, the harbourside provided a lot of freedom, but post the redevelopment of Custom House Quay this location simply isn’t suitable for such a large and popular event. The Peninsula is a fantastic location for live music, improved seating and family friendly activities.”
We are pleased to confirm 2024 Silver sponsors Hall & Woodhouse, and Bronze sponsors Dream Cottages and South Western Railway, as well as partners SquareMeal & Food & Travel Magazine.
Tickets for this year’s event will be available soon.
