Sun brings out the crowds for Arbroath Sea Fest 2015
by Wendy Glass 18 Aug 2015 00:15 BST
15-16 August 2015
A packed programme of entertainment, a harbour full of yachts and traditional fishing boats, the thrilling spectacle of the RNLI Lifeboat carrying out daily rescues, a cookery demonstration by one of the UK's top chefs and two days of sunshine helped to attract a record-breaking crowd of 30,000 to this year's Arbroath Sea Fest.
"We are delighted by how well everything went at this year's Sea Fest," said Marco Macari, chair of Arbroath Sea Fest Committee, the dedicated team of volunteers who organise the annual event. "From the moment the gates opened at 10am on Saturday, just as the rain stopped, people streamed through our gates and, by all accounts, had a great time!"
Hundreds packed into the Old Fish Market at the harbour to watch a mouthwatering cookery demonstration by Jamie Scott, the Arbroath chef who won Masterchef: the Professionals 2014. Jamie made one of the elements of his Masterchef-winning menu, Arbroath Smokie Bouillabaisse, and Arbroath Lobster and Fresh Vegetables Salad. "I loved taking part in Arbroath Sea Fest," said Jamie. "The support I received from my home crowd was tremendous!"
Various competitions were held throughout the weekend, with Iain MacIntosh winning the Best Dressed Boat contest for Donara, Ian Proctor winning the DH Robertson-sponsored Pie Eating Competition and Harp FC winning the Arbroath Sea Fest Raft Race. The Strongman and Strongwoman contests attracted large crowds all weekend. Kenny Simm was crowned the Strongest Man In Angus, Mark Butterworth claimed the 90-kilo male novice title and Kara Swankie won the Strongest Women Competition.
"It's been a very good weekend," said Lee Page of Arbroath's Warehouse Gym, organiser of the Strongman and Strongwoman Competitions. "We'll be back at Sea Fest next year with even bigger and better feats of strength and fitness!"
As the highly successful weekend came to an end, on behalf of Arbroath Sea Fest Committee, secretary Lynn Cameron thanked everyone involved. "There are so many people we would like to acknowledge for their support, such as the local organisations who provided us with invaluable assistance, including providing manpower, ideas and entertainment, the stallholders, the boat owners, the performers on our two stages, Hayley Wilkes of WeeCook and Jamie Scott for sharing their culinary expertise, Arbroath RNLI, and, of course, everyone who came along.
"The success of this year's Sea Fest bodes very well for Sea Fest 2016, which will be our 20th anniversary."
www.arbroathseafest.co.uk