The North Yorkshire coast will be alive with the sound of music and the smell of the finest seafood dishes this weekend as the ever-popular Scarborough Seafest makes its return.
A regular on the summer calendar for more than two decades, the free event is organised by North Yorkshire Council and takes place from July 19 to 21 on the resort’s West Pier.
Crowds are expected across the weekend, with more than a dozen bands and musical performers appearing alongside some of the region’s top chefs and culinary experts, including Chris Hobson from SeaGrown and the chef patron at Clark’s Restaurant, Rob Clark.
The popular music and beer marquee returns in partnership with Cropton Brewery, while the Scarborough Hospitality Association sponsors the Food Theatre.
There will also be a firework display on the Saturday night.
In addition, two historic sailing ships will be visiting the town for the event.
The Galleon Andalucia is a replica of a 17th century Spanish Galleon, the type of vessel used by the Spanish Crown for maritime expeditions between the 16th and 18th centuries.
While the Nancy Blackett is a restored yacht formerly owned by Arthur Ransome, author of Swallows and Amazons, and immortalised in his book, We Didn’t Mean to go to Sea.
Executive member for culture and art, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “Scarborough’s seafaring heritage is second to none and provides the perfect backdrop for the music and food that will be on offer at this year’s Seafest.
“With summer in full swing, I’d encourage everyone to come down to the South Bay and take advantage of this superb free festival.”
Headlining the event on Saturday night is a local band, The Feens. Seen supporting James and Cast and having the prestigious Isle of Wight festival on their CV, the band has a large local following.
Lead singer Freddie Schmuck said: “We first played Seafest when we were in our infancy, back in 2018, and we were just finding our feet.
“We thought it would be nice to come back as a more mature band. We’ve got a lot more songs under our belt and more experience and it’s great to be able to headline the event this year.”
The Feens, who are described as a guitar pop band influenced by the likes of Oasis, Arctic Monkeys and The Beatles, are proud to be from the North Yorkshire coast.
“Wherever you are from, that moulds you as a band. We’ve never been afraid to say we are from Scarborough,” Mr Schmuck said. “We’ve always been happy to champion the area and I think that is what has helped with our success.
“We sold out the Ocean Room at the Scarborough Spa in our own right and I don’t think we would have been able to do that without having the backing of local people.”
In terms of this weekend’s gig, the audience can expect a fantastic day out, said Mr Schmuck.
“There’s free music all day and some really good bands and musicians on and I would encourage everyone to come down and support the event. Our aim is to send everyone home happy and give them a really memorable night,” he said.
On the food front, the chef at the SeaGrown Centre, Chris Hobson, is passionate about locally sourced and prepared dishes and will be demonstrating his skills to visitors.
The SeaGrown centre is based onboard the MV Southern Star moored in Scarborough harbour and is Britain’s first large-scale offshore seaweed farm.
“I want to show people just how versatile seaweed is and what it can add when it comes to the food we eat. I am still learning, but I went out harvesting earlier this year and I have learned how to prepare it and what it works well with. We use it in everything from sausages, to tapas, to barbecues and I am also going to be making a marmalade using locally produced gin,” he said.
Mr Hobson said there was a very important message behind everything SeaGrown does.
“Sustainability is key to everyone involved with SeaGrown and it’s very important to me what fish we use, for example, and where and how it has been caught. I am also really keen on working with local suppliers and want to champion this as much as I can.
“Seafest will bring people to Scarborough and provides a great opportunity to showcase what we do and encourage more and more people to look at what we have in the sea around us.
“I am really grateful for the opportunity at the weekend and would encourage everyone to come down.”
Cllr Janet Jefferson who represents the Castle division on North Yorkshire Council, chairs the Seafest Steering Group and is an inaugural member of the festival.
She said: “It is great to be part of the team tasked with organising this fantastic celebration of our fishing industry heritage.
“At Seafest there is something for everyone, both residents and visitors alike and the West Pier really comes alive with the cookery demonstrations, music and entertainment. We’re grateful to the Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre for their hard work and the local stall holders for supporting the event.
“I’d encourage everyone to stay for the grand firework display on the Saturday evening and pop down on Sunday morning too for the blessing of the boats service.”
For more information visit the Seafest website.
Timetable
Music Tent - Supported by Cropton Brewery and Active Events
Friday, 19 July
- 7pm The Bondurants
- 8pm Best Served Cold
- 9.15pm The Mixtapes
Saturday, 20 July
- 11am Ship to Shore
- 12.30pm Amy Bell
- 1.15pm Womack and Ward
- 2.20pm Nick Tudor
- 3.30pm Tigers in the Dark
- 5pm Chocolate Box
- 6.05pm Mally Jackson
- 7.15pm Accidentally Acoustic
- 8.45pm The Feens
- 9.45pm Fireworks
- Northern Soul and Motown party
Sunday, 21 July
- 12pm Tymisha
- 1pm Annie and King
- 2pm Mark Stanley
Food Theatre (sponsored by Scarborough Hospitality Association)
Saturday, 20 July
- 10.30am Phil Akrill (Stag Mobile Catering and Events)
- 11.30am Dan Hargreaves (Embers Restaurant, Scarborough)
- 12.30pm Kath Breckon (North Yorkshire Council)
- 1.30pm Adam Maddock (Saltmoore, Sandsend)
- 2.30pm Rob Clark (Clark's Restaurant, Scarborough)
- 3.30pm Ed Trewhitt (Brickyard Bakery, Guisborough)
Sunday, 21 July
- 10.30am Phil Akrill (Stag Mobile Catering and Events)
- 11.30am Chris Hobson (SeaGrown Centre, Scarborough)
- 12.30pm Martin Jones (The Truffled Hog, Stokesley)
- 1.30pm Alfie Green (The Yorkshire Seafood Kitchen)
- 2.30pm Dan Hargreaves (Embers Restaurant, Scarborough)
- 3.30pm Ed Trewhitt (Brickyard Bakery, Guisborough)