Seafood and Sounds Announces Sponsors and Event Outline

Seafood and Sounds - Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th September 2024, Poole Quay

Poole’s free to attend community event, Seafood and Sounds, returns to Poole Quay and Lower High Street for the second year on the weekend of September 14^th and 15^th2024. On announcing its 2024 sponsorship line up, the organisers also confirm more daytime staged musical performances plus a greater number of local hospitality businesses putting on afternoon and evening musical entertainment.

The daily Fisherman’s Market will be open each day from 11.00am to 5pm, featuring fish, shellfish and craft stalls in La Mia’s (previously Hennings). A new feature for this year is a Parade which will open the weekend event at 11.00am on Saturday morning.

The Dolphin Poole is the main sponsor for this year’s event. Centre Manager, John Grinnell said, ‘I attended the inaugural event last year and saw the incredible atmosphere that was created by this community event. The Dolphin is at the heart of Poole Town Centre, and we are delighted to offer our support to an event such as this which showcases our amazing town and its historic seafood heritage.’

Funding from Poole BID has also been secured for the second year and local companies are supporting the weekend with services at no cost. ACO Security Consultants offer free security and marshalling for the weekend and Poole based Brown Booth and Saltwater Stone offer their design and marketing services to the event team without charge.

On announcing the sponsors, Jeanette Walsh commented, ‘There are costs involved in putting on an event such as this, so we rely solely on sponsorship from the Poole business community. We are delighted that The Dolphin has recognised the value of our event, and we welcome them as our main funding sponsor for 2024. Thanks also to Poole BID for their continued contribution.’

Seafood and Sounds Parade
This year’s event starts with the Seafood and Sounds Parade on Saturday 14^th at 11.00am. Sponsored by Poole Quay restaurant Oriels, it will feature music and local children will be encouraged to wear their best seafood themed fancy dress. The parade will start at the top of the pedestrianised lower high street, (between The Slug and Lettuce and Mungo’s) and travel down the street, proceeding along the Quay before ending at parade sponsor Oriels Restaurant at around 11.20. The Fancy Dress competition will then be judged, and the weekend’s children’s entertainments commence.

Ryan Porter of Oriels said, ‘This is just the kind of event that brightens Poole Quay as the summer season draws to a close. I’m delighted to sponsor the Seafood and Sounds Parade as it allows more children and families to get involved and boosts the Poole Quay and Lower Hight Street businesses.’

A Weekend of Music and Seafood
Michelle Smith from the Poole Arms is co-ordinating the musical entertainment throughout the weekend, and she confirmed, ‘The music follows the same format as last year, with fifteen acts from violinists to folk singers and shanty bands to duets supplying non-stop acoustic music from 11.30 until 4pm each day. Around 40 performances will feature on the five official Seafood and Sounds ‘stages’ within the event area - Fish Shambles, The Poole Arms, The Sea Sculpture, The Custom House and outside The Poole Museum.’

As these acts draw to a close, local pubs and restaurants take over the musical rein, putting on their own music during the late afternoons and evenings. Locations that have so far confirmed include The Angel, The Custom House, Drift Bar, Harry Paye, Hotel Du Vin & Bistro, The Lord Nelson, The Poole Arms, and Riptide Espresso & Records. More are expected to be announced over the coming weeks.

As the event name implies, Seafood and Sounds is also about seafood and many local venues will be creating their own speciality Seafood and Sounds dishes including seafood chowders, seafood pizzas, seafood platters and local fish pies. A list of participating bars and restaurants will be issued nearer the event and will also be available on the website and listed in the event programme.

Oyster Trail
Finally, the popular Seafood and Sounds Oyster Trail returns for 2024, offering a free to enter competition across the weekend. Participants follow the trail to find oyster shells hanging in the window. Each shell depicts a letter and when they are all collected and rearranged will create a fishy phrase. The wining entry is drawn at 6pm on Sunday 15^th September.

This year’s official Seafood and Sounds charity is the RNLI, who celebrate their 200^th Anniversary this year. A Grand Raffle is being organised to raise money, with 20% going to the charity and the remainder of the funds for the 2025 Seafood and Sounds event.

Companies or individuals interested in being involved or sponsoring the event should contact Jeanette Walsh on 07951 217268 or email jea@thepinksugarmouse.com.

See Event Details enclosed for current information on Seafood and Sounds 2024.

For more information:

Visit the website www.seafoodandsounds.co.uk
Facebook - SeafoodandSounds2023
Instagram - @seafoodandsounds.
Press enquiries – g.bartlett@saltwater-stone.com