Ards and North Down Borough Council’s first Peninsula Food Showcase will take place in picturesque Portaferry on Saturday 30 July (12noon – 6.00pm). The showcase will be 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 Portaferry Showcase will complement the Skiffie Worlds 2016 World Coastal Rowing Championships which will hold its closing ceremony in Strangford on the same day and the exciting programme will include; local chef demonstrations, food tastings, artisan food producers and family-themed fun.

Come and watch local chefs prepare delicious food at the live cookery demonstrations, sample some local produce from the artisan producers, kids will love the Giant Seagulls and the two-metre long friendly seal which are part of the street-theatre programme or find a good vantage point to enjoy the rowing on beautiful Strangford Lough and welcome the Skiffs ashore for their closing ceremony.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Deborah Girvan, is looking forward to the festival.  She said:

“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.  It’s no surprise that we catch and cook some of the best seafood imaginable.  The food showcase will give us a chance to do just that – show off what wonderful food we catch and cook.  As well as providing a full day of free, fun, family entertainment.”

The Skiffie Worlds Rowing Championships are being hosted by The Strangford Lough Partnership & Lecale Partnership (SLLP) working closely with the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association (SCRA) and part-sponsored by Ards and North Down Borough Council. The event which runs from 25 to 30 July, will be a colourful and friendly celebration of coastal rowing including competitors from all over the world. On July 30 at 4.30pm, come and see an incredible spectacle, never seen before in Strangford Narrows, as 50 beautiful, colourful, traditionally styled coastal rowing boats enter The Narrows and come in to Strangford and Portaferry accompanied by the Johanna Lucretia tall ship.

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 Queens University Lab running from 10am to 4pm.

If you fancy a family day out with some food, fun and rowing, come to Portaferry on July 30. The Food Showcase is a free event and runs from 12 noon to 6pm. The Skiffie Worlds Closing Celebrations runs from 4.30pm to late in Strangford.

As part of The Peninsula Food Showcase, special events will also be taking place in: Portavogie on 13 August, Donaghadee on 10 September, Ballywalter on 9 & 10 October and Greyabbey on 29 October.

For more information, phone Ards Visitor Information Centre on 028 9182 6846 or visit www.visitardsandnorthdown.com