Portaferry is preparing for a four-day Sailing and Music and family fun festival which will be the biggest maritime event to come to Ards Peninsula since the very popular ‘Galway Hooker Festival’ of many years ago. The event is being hosted by Portaferry Sailing Club and will centre around their Club House on the Shore Front. Events will spread out from the Club to all parts of the town ensuring plenty of family fun for everyone.
The Club is running the festival we are expecting boats from all over the lough and North Down, Scotland, England, Wales, Isle of Man & ROI and farther afield. The boats will gather on Thursday and Friday for registration, race on Saturday the 22nd in Strangford Lough and have a final Parade of Sail on Sunday the 23rd.
The festival highlight is a unique opportunity for the public to engage on the water and to cruise the lough on the beautiful boat Soteria and for game of thrones fans an opportunity sail past the famous original filming ground of “Winterfell” not forgetting two game of thrones doors one in Strangford and one in Portaferry.
Take a trip around beautiful Strangford Lough onboard the Soteria
To compliment the Sailing, there will be local food outlets promoting local produce food tasting and cooking demonstrations and even a chance to go foraging cook food from the water’s edge The visiting public will be entertained by traditional dancing from both Irish and Scottish heritages and giving displays and competing at several open-air venues. Portaferry’s Bars and restaurants are also gearing up for the Festival with live music and special food menus to keep locals and visitors replenished.
The Festival committee will be providing crafts for kids, kite making, treasure trail even chance to find some Portaferry Rocks, art competitions, street entertainment, inflatables, face painters, and much, much, more. In addition, there will storytelling, dress -up and crafts at the Portaferry Library.
The Maritime Museum will be doing an Exhibition of 1000 years of ferry service which will compliment to new project around the town “FERRY DOORS” and photo opportunities in the ‘Pirate Photo Booth’ and watch out for a chance to meet Captain Jack Sparrow. There will be information stands by the local groups and emergency services and opportunity to meet the big lottery community winners Ards Peninsula 1st Responders.
For full programme and to book events visit their website.
