The Newlyn Fish Festival is set to celebrate its 15th anniversary on Bank Holiday Monday.

The annual event regularly attracts more than 20,000 people, enjoying the rare opportunity to explore the world-famous fishing port.

Gabriella Nonino, publicity officer for the festival, explained: "As always there will be plenty of displays to entertain and inform the public; there will be a large fish auction, knot and basket makers and net menders and displays by the Coastguard rescue team.

"On show inside the market and along the quays will be arts and craft stalls, food outlets, exhibitions and displays relating to our fishing heritage.

"There will be a large variety of fish and shellfish for sale, cooking demonstrations and food sampling.

"Its centrepiece will be a huge display of locally-caught seafood which will be auctioned off to the public at 4pm."

Gabriella added: "The festival also gives the fishermen of Newlyn the opportunity to show the industry to the wider public who know little about commercial fishing or its problems."

At Monday's festival the Trafalgar Trophy will be contested once again by gig crews that will race a three-mile course in Mount's Bay, starting and finishing at Newlyn.

The Newlyn Fish Festival was first held in 1991 to highlight the local fishing industry and to boost the image and work of the Fishermen's Mission.

But 15 years later it has become one of the biggest annual events in West Cornwall.

This year's festival will be opened on Monday at 10am by Lady Mary Holborow, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall.

Live entertainment will be provided throughout the day by acts including the Newlyn Male Choir, Black Rock Jazz and Midsummer Opera

The night before the festival a blessing of the fleet service will take place at 7.45pm on Sunday in the Newlyn Harbour lorry park.

Royal National Mission for Deep Sea Fishermen secretary Paul Jarrett will speak, accompanied by the Newlyn Male Choir.

The Newlyn Fish Festival takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, August 28, from 9am to 5pm.

Entry is £4 for adults and accompanied children go free.

For more details visit www.newlynfishfestival.org.uk

Article copyright THE CORNISHMAN 

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