2011 Waterford Harvest Festival Programme Launched in Waterford City
Celebrating Good Irish Food, Honey, Blaas, Fish, GIY and Irish Rock Music Greats
THOUSANDS of food lovers are expected to flock Waterford City during the annual nine day celebration of food at the Waterford Harvest Festival from September 3 to 11, 2011. The festival programme was unveiled in Waterford City today (Monday, July 18) to the delight of food connoisseurs, food producers and even music lovers.
Commenting at the launch Waterford City Manager, Michael Walsh said, “Waterford successfully hosted one of the largest festivals on the European calandar just last month, proving that the city is the ideal location for large scale, outdoor events. Both visitors and Waterford locals can now look forward to another family friendly festival in this historic city.”
The Waterford Harvest Festival offers a jam packed programme celebrating food producers, local produce, artisan workshops, restaurant trails, cookery demos, food tastings, quayside markets, music concerts and much more. Thursday, September 3 sees the festival open with an open-air concert and barbeque featuring The Stunning, The Saw Doctors and O Emperor at Bolton Street Car Park.
On Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September the festival has teamed up with GIY Ireland to present the ‘GIY Gathering’. The GIY Gathering is the largest meeting of GIYers ever in Ireland, with over 30 workshops, demos and talks, a Street Feast where over 700 people will sit down to a healthy, locally produced home grown meal, urban potting, forages and food tours.
For the second year running, the largest food market in Ireland ‘Amazing Grazing’ will take place, when Waterford’s South Quays will be transformed into a giant market place. The mile long quayside will be filled with food stalls, craft producers, vintage farm machinery, threshing, Kidszone, street entertainment, pets corner, seated food courts, bar area, and a celebration of the Blaa! Throughout the day, people can enjoy watching mighty men and women compete in the National Sheaf Pitching Championships, or stroll back in time to witness authentic Viking life in Fado’s Viking Village.
‘Food for Thought’ events will take place in various locations midweek from Monday 5 to Friday 9 September, with taste workshops, a singles restaurant trail, Slow Food tours, cookery demonstrations from celebrity chefs including Darina Allen, Catherine Fulvio (Italian Kitchen) Martin Shanahan (Mad about Fish) and Donal Skehan (Kitchen Hero). There’s an entire day devoted to fruit of the ocean called ‘Fishy Friday’ and a celebration of honey aptly titled ‘Glory BEE to HONEY’. The city will turn French where the agricultural students from Perpignon will host a series of workshops on French Catalonian food. Details for all ‘Food for Thought’ events can be found on the festival website.
Culinary legend Darina Allen will have ‘Coffee and Conversation’ with WLR FM’s Maria McCann on Thursday, September 8 at Dooley’s Hotel. Darina will chat about the importance of local produce and will also host a questions and answers session offering cookery lovers a chance to glean some insider tips. This event will be broadcast live on WLRfm.
Gary Breen, Head of Operations, Fáilte Ireland South East stated that “The on-going development of the Waterford Harvest Festival into a major national event will help Waterford capitalise on the growing international food tourism market, while maximising the attractiveness and reputation of Waterford as a food destination. Local produce and food production is appreciated as an inherent element of our culture, a culture that this festival brings to life in an engaging, entertaining and meaningful way. The festival will create a boost to the local economy and Fáilte Ireland is delighted to be in a position to support and be associated with this wonderful event.
For further information to arrange a festival visit to Waterford or an interview please contact Ann Power 086 3065588 or email ann@powerhousepr.ie