Bridlington Seafood Festival 2019 Promises To Be The Catch Of The Summer

The highly successful Bridlington Seafood Festival will make a welcome return to the town’s seafront on the weekend of 15-16 June 2019.

The seafood festival is led by the Holderness Coast Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) with funding from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

The popular two-day event – last held in 2016 – will take place between 10am-4pm (on both days) between Bridlington Spa and the RNLI Lifeboat Station on South Marine Drive, adjacent to the land train station regularly connecting with Bridlington’s Park and Ride.

James Wood, chair of the Holderness Coast FLAG, said: “It is great to see the return of this event, which will help to raise awareness of the importance of the seafood industry to Bridlington and the whole of the Holderness coast.

“Since 2011, the FLAG has been instrumental in bringing several million pounds of European funding to assist the local fishing industry and coastal communities. It is hoped that the festival will become a permanent feature of the local events programme in future years.”

Cookery demonstrations, including ones by Rob Green and a whole host of local chefs will feature local seafood produce, as will the range of food stalls arranged for the weekend.

There will be an emphasis on locally caught crab and lobster to showcase Bridlington’s role as the largest lobster landing port in Europe and its label as ‘The Lobster Capital of Europe’. Other foods – including hog roasts and paella – will be for sale at various stalls, as will locally produced artwork.

A range of local maritime organisations will also be present, with stalls from the RNLI, the North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, the Holderness Fishing Industry Group, the Holderness Fishermen’s Health Trainers, RSPB Bempton, the Fishermen’s Mission, the Coble Preservation Society, Flamborough Head Management and many others in attendance.  

It will also be a weekend of children’s activities and entertainment besides South Beach. There will be face-painting, stilt walkers and the sea air will be filled with music from the Filey Fishermen’s Choir and the ceilidh band, Shamrock Experience. 

Councillor Richard Burton, portfolio holder for leisure, tourism and culture at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The return of this popular event will be well-received by people in Bridlington, the East Riding and further afield.

“The shellfish industry is one of the East Coast’s most important industries and events like these encourage people to support local businesses and to purchase local produce.

“The council is delighted to be supporting Holderness Coast FLAG in putting the festival back on the calendar and I am sure the weekend will be enjoyed by thousands.”