Maryport is gearing up for the Taste of the Sea food festival next month.
The event, on August 12 and August 13, is organised by Cumberland Council as part of the Taste Cumbria brand.
It will feature a producers’ market at the top of Senhouse Street, with a hot food court, festival marquee drinks tent, live music and a picnic field on the harbourside.
That area will also be used to promote fish and seafood, and there will also be a young entrepreneurs’ market and chefs’ demonstrations too, as well as a fairground and children’s activities.
Maryport Town Council has increased its sponsorship of the event this year with £20,000 to ensure the festival is even bigger and better. Local organisations are getting involved to bring new attractions for visitors.
The town’s Cultural Consortium, funded by Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone fund as part of Cumberland Council’s regeneration programme under the Made in Maryport banner, is planning loads of initiatives for all ages.
There will be arts and crafts taster sessions, Roman food and drink demonstrations, music and a talk on the work of Maryport artist William Mitchell, and heritage walks around the harbour and marina.
All the activities will be delivered by the consortium’s partners – Senhouse Museum, Maryport Maritime Museum, the new Shipping Brow Gallery and The Settlement – in a dedicated marquee on the harbourside.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: “The Maryport Taste of the Sea festival, in partnership with Maryport Town Council, is going to be a fabulously creative event. It always has food and drink at its heart but we want to keep growing it to include many more attractions.
“Almost £1 million came into the local economy as a result of last year’s festival and that is part of why we do what we do. We want to boost our towns financially but also promote our amazingly vibrant communities to residents and visitors alike.
“We are very grateful to Maryport Town Council for their generous sponsorship and I know we share the same goal of showcasing our town to the biggest possible audience.”
Linda Radcliffe, mayor and member of Maryport Town Council, said: “We’re really pleased to be the major sponsor of Maryport Taste of the Sea again this year and can’t wait for the festival weekend.
“Seeing the streets and the harbourside packed with smiling people is fabulous and we love the enthusiastic atmosphere all around the town. As a town council we want to show people what a great place Maryport is, to live, work and visit, and events like this certainly put us on the map. I hope we have another fantastic sunny weekend and everyone enjoys the food, drink and family attractions on offer.”
