Tide and Turf Portavogie Activities

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The beautiful harbour village of Portavogie will host a celebration of delicious local produce as well as the Borough's finest food and drink on Saturday 12 September with Tide and Turf. 

Running as part of Ards and North Down Borough Council's Taste Autumn programme of events, Friday 11 - Sunday 27 September 2026, this free to attend family event showcases the food produced around the harbour and surrounding farmland with a focus on seafood and beef.

Your foodie dreams will come true as you savour the seasonal tide and turf produce.

For the full Taste Autumn Ards and North Down programme, click here.

Food Demonstrations

At this year's Tide and Turf Portavogie we are welcoming a couple of guest chefs from Northern Ireland. Suzie Lee returns to our Festival Kitchen. Suzie has previously been a guest at Tide and Turf Portavogie a number of times in the past, and we are delighted that she will be showcasing her talents in the kitchen with our visitors at the 2026 event, and, for the first time, we also welcome Great British Menu's 2025 contestant Stevie McCarry, co-owner and Head Chef of  LIR seafood restaurant. 

About Suzie Lee >> Find out more

About Stevie McCarry >> Find out more

Family Fun

Families can enjoy a range of free children’s activities including Exploris touch tank, an urban beach, Pedal Boats, children's maritime themed crafts and, of course, the family fun fair returns, too!

Other activities include...

Clayrazy - Nautical themed workshops | Little ones can unleash their creative side with these mini workshops happening throughout the day, making and then taking home a lasting memory of your time at Tide and Turf Portavogie. A lovely fun activity for children.

Jump, Jiggle and Jive | Under-the-Sea themed dance and games - great fun for little ones!

Walkabout entertainment 

Synch 'Ro' Swim | A team of highly efficient, skilled, incredibly motivated and extremely physically toned sporting legends... Or so they think! These 'graceful goddesses' consider themselves as role models for the everyday man and woman. Born in Michovic to three separate mothers, these ladies wandered through life aimlessly until 1987 when someone confused them with the country's National Swim Team. Ka-chinggggg!!!! They loved it and they'll do anything to keep that mistaken recognition alive... Except Swimming in Water... They don't do water!

Hatter and Hatter | Look out for this comedy duo of Mad Hatters and their escapades as they weave through the event on their rickshaw bike!

Fintan the Fisherman and the Fish-Head | These guys thrilled the crowds at Sea Bangor this year and they are back to entertain the visitors with their antics in Portavogie 

Music Stage

Boondocks | 12noon - 2pm 

If you love old school country songs and haven’t yet been converted to ‘The Boondocks’ authentic ‘back porch’ sound, you’ll want to come along to this afternoon’s musical entertainment at Tide and Turf. 

The show is full of country classics including the songs of Hank Williams, Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Gram Parsons, Merle Haggard and John Prine. 

The Boondocks is Anthony Toner (vocals, electric, acoustic and lapsteel guitar, Mark Crockard (vocals and acoustic guitar) and Marcus McAuley (mandolin and acoustic guitar). 

Expect songs like Wichita Lineman, I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry, Always On My Mind, Big River, Mamma Tried and many many more. Fans of traditional country music will know them all! 

Jerseytones Band |  3pm - 5pm 

Get ready for an afternoon of unforgettable music with The Jerseytones! 

Bringing the timeless sound of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons to life, you'll enjoy classic hits including Sherry, Walk Like a Man, and Big Girls Don't Cry, alongside feel-good favourites such as Do You Love Me, Love Really Hurts Without You, and many more. 
Packed with incredible harmonies and infectious energy, The Jerseytones will have you singing along, clapping your hands, and dancing in your seat. It's the perfect soundtrack to a fantastic afternoon of live entertainment!

Fish Market | Education Zone

More info coming soon!

This event has received funding from DAERA’s Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme.