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TARBERT Seafood Festival got off to a bit of a soggy start last weekend but the enthusiasm of the crowd could not be dampened.
Despite grey skies and endless amounts of rain, the 2008 Tarbert Seafood Festival went full steam ahead last weekend.
This year’s seafood queen, Lynda Mills and her two princesses, Erin Smith and Courtney Stewart, battled the puddles as they walked from the harbour side to the crowning stage armed with umbrellas.
The three girls were duly piped to their platform by Lochgilphead lad, Thomas McCulloch and introduced by festival committee chairman, Nick Mills.
The official crowning was performed by festival committee member, Mo MacLugash, who was retiring from the festival after more than 10 years service.
Highlights during Saturday included a cooking demonstration by Lochgilphead chef and restaurant owner, Michael Staniland.
In the afternoon a huge crowd gathered to watch celebrity chef, Nick Nairn, cook up a storm with his seafood dishes.
Making it his fourth visit to the Seafood Festival, Mr Nairn said he enjoyed coming to Tarbert because of ‘the fish’.
He added: ‘The quality of produce here is just fantastic and of course so are the people.’
Music by Esther O’ Connor also kept the crowds entertained as well as fun and games on the pier for the children.
Sunday rounded off the festival with a ‘Beer on the Pier’ theme with bands, The Champions and The Deville as well as Esther O’ Connor.
Chairman of the Seafood Festival Committee, Nick Mills, said the numbers were disappointing but he felt that was as a result of a lack of funding and the weather.
‘The weather certainly didn’t help so Saturday was rather disappointing but Sunday was fantastic.’
‘The committee would like to thank everyone who contributed to this year’s festival.’
The committee is always looking for new members so anyone interested should get in touch with Nick Mills.
