Saturday 2 September | 12noon - 5pm | Portavogie Harbour
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 2nd September with Tide and Turf.
Running as part of Ards and North Down Borough Council's Taste Autumn programme of events, Thursday 31 August – Sunday 10 September 2023, this free 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
Paula McIntyre and the local college SERC will provide a variety of food demonstrations throughout the event with attendees having the opportunity to chat to the chefs and try some of their dishes.
Family Fun
In addition to the food element there are a range of free children’s activities including pedal boats, sand crafts and Punch and Judy shows.
What a catch! - Find the fish hidden around the venue and claim your goodie bag from the Ards and North Down Borough Council Visitor Information Centre caravan.
Citizen Sea
Citizen Sea will be attending on Saturday with their drone ‘MAX’.
MAX is an aquatic RC drone that can collect up to half a ton of waste at a time! It is a wonderful bit of kit, with no noise or fuel wastage as it is charged and rubs fully electric. Watch this short Instagram video of a test run, here.
Catch a glimpse of MAX in the harbour 1:30pm and 3:00pm.
'Have a Go' Rowing Sessions
Join Portavogie Coastal Rowing Club at Anchor Beach car park to give rowing a try.
Times: 12:30/ 1:00 / 1:30 / 2:00 / 2:30 / 3:00 / 3:30 / 4:00 / 4:30
Slots will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Music Stage
Grab a deckchair and enjoy live music from the String Ninjas from 12.30pm - 2.30pm and The Florentinas from 3.30pm-4.30pm. Quench your thirst at the pop-up bar and pick up a snack from one of the many artisan food stalls.
The Florentinas
We are delighted to welcome The Florentinas to Portavogie to entertain us at Tide and Turf on Saturday 2 September. A four piece alternative rock band from Bangor, Co. Down who have steadily been making waves in the Northern Irish scene and beyond.
Formed in early 2019, Paddy, Jacob, Luke and Jakob quickly garnered attention following live performances in Belfast. Shortly after, they recorded a BBC Introducing Maida Vale session, catching the attention of Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody’s artist development company, Third Bar.
In 2020 they signed a major publishing deal with BMG in London and have continued to go from strength to strength, we can’t wait to see them on our Tide and Turf music stage. Read more about The Florentinas.
The String Ninjas
The String Ninjas duo are made up of Fingerstyle guitarist Gavin Ferris and electric violinist Mick Conlon!
There may only be two in the band but their sound is as big as their personalities! Gavin take care of the rhythm, bass and harmony thanks to his virtuosic and percussive guitar style, while Mick handles the bulk of the melody lines thanks to his classical training and desire to sound like Hendrix on violin!
Amazing, infectious energy exudes from their performances!
This event has received funding from DAERA’s Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme.
Sustainability
We encourage visitors to travel via public transport and the FREE buses provided. There are fresh water stations on site, so bring along your refillable bottles and reusable bags to pick up goodies at the event. Please dispose of rubbish at the recycling stations provided. Read more about Sustainability.
Getting here
Taking the bus? A Free Bus Service will be available, departing from Bangor, Newtownards, and Portaferry via Cloughey.
See timetables
If the free buses don't suit, check out translink.co.uk.
Parking | Overflow carpark available at Trinity Free Presbyterian Church and directly opposite at Gospel Hall, New Road BT22 1EP. As well as directly opposite the Harbour, signage will be in place to follow. Parking will be restricted on Harbour Road from 6am - 6pm. Accessible car parking will be available - offered on a first come, first serve basis
Event site | Useful information
Road restrictions | Parking will be restricted on Harbour Road, Saturday 2 September - 6am - 6pm.
Recycling | When disposing of rubbish please use the recycling stations when on-site. Please note, the usual waste bins on-site will not be in use during the event. Please help us continue our sustainability commitment to zero contamination at events by using the correct bin. There will be team members from Recycling on hand to provide advice and help you put your rubbish in the correct bin.
Accessibility | All flat surfaces on hard concrete. Accessoloo will be in attendance.
Dogs | Are permitted, to remain on lead at all times. Water bowls will be provided.
Stay sun safe | we’re hoping for sunny weather, so please protect yourself with sun cream, hats and hydrate when at the event. Bring your refillable water bottles and use the water supply available at the event.
Lost children | with crowds anticipated please pick up a wristband for children at the Visitor Information caravan.
Follow our Facebook page or sign up to our ezine for current updates.
Please note, details subject to change.
This event is being photographed and filmed. Images may be used in Ards and North Down Borough Council promotional materials. If you do not want your image to be used, please inform our event staff.
For more information on safe alcohol consumption, visit the Drink Aware website.
Events showcasing and celebrating our local food and drink, from food tours to family events, including the popular Tide and Turf, Portavogie event in September - there is something for everyone.
