Around 20,000 people came out to support SeaFest Peterhead this weekend as the seafood festival made its return to the Aberdeenshire town.
Organised by a small committee of volunteers, the free family-friendly event took place on Saturday September 13 from 11am to 4pm at Seagate, attracting massive crowds from as far as Cornwall.
This was the second time SeaFest Peterhead has taken place. A date for the next event has not been confirmed yet, however, the committee are hopeful to bring it back to the Blue Toon in 2027.
Not only did it see its attendance numbers double this year following doubling the site’s footprint, but it also tripled exhibitors and saw record-breaking numbers of vendors selling out.
A total of 97 vendors were in attendance including some of the emergency services such as the coastguard, police and fire brigades, a whole host of food and drink producers, crafters, artists, third sector, industry organisations and more.
The RNLI brought two boats to SeaFest Peterhead’s quayside and saw more than 1,500 people board each boat throughout the day.
Local maritime services firm, Intermara Marine ran 12 boat tours to raise money for RNLI Peterhead and Peterhead Sea Cadets.
In total Intermara Marine raised £1,100 which will be split between the two organisations.
Operations director, Stewart Buchan, said: “We were delighted to be involved in SeaFest Peterhead. We ended up running the tours for an extra hour as there was so much demand. They could easily have been sold twice over, and the rest to be honest. We’ll definitely have two boats on for the next event so ensure everyone can see Peterhead from a diXerent perspective.”
Peterhead Fish Company sold out of fresh fish on the day and Favonius’ once again sold out of their freshly caught langoustines despite the trawler doubling the amount of produce they had in 2023.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural AXairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, oXicially opened the event alongside festival chairman, Jimmy Buchan and Peterhead Sea Cadets. Docked boats across the wider Peterhead harbour sounded their horns to mark the opening.
ESS, one of the event’s supporters, hosted a series of demonstrations showcasing sea to plate in their cookery tent in the seafood village with culinary director – Scotland,
Energy, Government & Infrastructure Graham Singer leading the brigade. Chefs cooked up everything from langoustine and scallop risotto to lobster with thermidor butter.
There was plenty for all the family to enjoy with free face painting, Emma’s Pet Fair, Yogi and Cindy water safety dogs, MarramWind’s virtual head set experience and more available for all ages.
Jimmy Buchan, chair of the voluntary committee, who also owns local seafood firm Amity Fish Company based at Seagate where the event took place was left speechless when reflecting on SeaFest Peterhead.
“Our community really knows how to get behind a local event,” he smiled.
“I didn’t think we could top the success of 2023 but here we are two years later smashing our 2023 attendance. The feedback we have received from visitors and vendors alike has been hugely positive and it just goes to show how important community events like this are.
“SeaFest Peterhead is a celebration of our area’s fishing heritage and culture. The north- east of Scotland punches above its weight in terms of produce and skill, and it was brilliant to see all ages out exploring and learning.
“I’d like to extend a huge appreciation of thanks to our sponsors of whom without, SeaFest Peterhead would never have been able to go ahead. And of course, a huge thank you to the voluntary committee and our small but mighty team of volunteers who help out on the day. We couldn’t do it without you all.”
This year the SeaFest Peterhead committee also organised a park and ride service with Victoria Coaches which ran for the entirety of the event. A selection of street parking was also covered by the organisers and sponsors to ensure the free event was accessible to all.
MarramWind stakeholder manager, Ross Williams, said: “It was fantastic to take part in this year’s SeaFest Peterhead – the sun was shining and the harbour was buzzing with thousands of visitors from the local area and beyond. The event gave us a brilliant platform to explain more about our project and the potential benefits of floating wind energy with some help from our partners at Aberdeen Science Centre.
“MarramWind could make a long and lasting diXerence for the north-east by delivering investment, jobs and economic growth and it’s essential that we continue to hear from local communities as we work to deliver the project.”
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A full list of sponsors of the festival include: Peterhead Port Authority, Seafood Scotland, MarramWind, Amity Fish Company, Peterhead Marquee Hire, Quantum Data Solutions Ltd, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, Scot Live Shellfish Ltd, JBT Martel, MDL, The Six Group, The Scottish White Fish Producers Association, Scottish Seafood Association, Scottish Fishermen’s Organisation, Scottish Fishermen’s Trust,
Scottish Fisherman’s Federation, SetForth Studio, Seafood Ecosse, Seafish, SBP Accountants and Buisness Advisers, Northbay Pelagic, North East Scotland Fisherman’s Organisation, Marine Stewardship Council, MKM Building Supplies, MB Plant, Klondyke, Howard Haulage Ltd, The Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust, Denholm Fishselling Ltd, Baxter Design Company, Baader, AVC, The Arc Cinema, Maritime Developments Ltd, Aberdein Considine and Davidsons Marine and Industrial Painters.
SeaFest Peterhead is a not-for-profit event organised by a small volunteer committee and is supported by additional volunteers on the day.
