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The Event
The Jersey fish Festival 2009 took place on the 25th July. The event ran from 10:00 hrs - 22:00 hrs. Below are pictures from the event.
Events from 2009
The Jersey Fish Festival featured a “water carnival” plus various exhibitions and entertainment around the Victoria Pier site. There was a Genuine Jersey chef’s demonstration stage and the music stage boasted class acts from 11am to 10pm, plus an Arts Crafts and Farmers market.
Highlights of the water events were the “Rubis” trawler race, where boats had to predict their average speed over a set course, to compete for the coveted “Rubis” shield. Water events will commence at 10am with a series of hotly contested, sculling races to select an overall winner for the “Sunderland Marine Insurance“ trophy.
On the floating pontoon beside the quay throughout the event was a number of Jersey’s “Heritage” boats including the beautifully restored old local lifeboat “Howard D”, the la Rocque sail fishing vessel “Fiona” registered 108J and the “Circassian ll”. Visitors were able to see the construction of the Circassian on DVD in the Exhibition marquee above the pontoon.
On hand also was the immaculately maintained, working tall ship “Jantje”, built as a fishing vessel in Holland in the early 1900s.
Parade of the decorated fishing fleet commenced at 12:00 noon for a judging of the “Best Dressed Boat”, with the trophy kindly donated by Mr. Fish, tackle shop. The “Rubis” trawler race started at 12:30 taking the fleet out around Elizabeth breakwater and into St Aubins Bay.
Exhibition Marquee. On the quay, there were all day activities, entertainment and exhibitions. Environmental awareness featured in the exhibition marquee with stalls such as Channel TV, featuring local DVDs such as “Wild Islands” and “Reefs and Wrecks”. Oscar puffin was on the CTV stand especially for the kids. The Environment and Fisheries Department was on hand to showcase their work on Fisheries and Coastal Zone management. Jersey Potteries was in the marquee also with the new cook book on sale and displaying some of their work. RNLI UK, fishing vessel safety officer Frankie Horne was available with a display of the very latest personal safety equipment purposely designed for working fishermen.
“Apostle of the Sea”, local branch of the seafarers charity were present in the marquee and for the kids “Jersey Hair Braids”. Present also was Jersey Heritage, featuring some archive photographs of the Island’s historic fishing industry and a DVD showing the construction of the “Circassian”
Major sponsors of the Fish Festival, “Rubis”/Fuel Supplies CI Ltd, were on hand in the marquee with info on their products and services. The company is closely linked to the fishing fleet as sole suppliers of fuel to the island’s fishermen for many years.
Outside the marquee Fox Marine was displaying the latest in Honda outboard technology.
The local “Crown and Anchor” stand was there for those who wanted to try their luck with the cards.
Children joined Tina Ellis-Brecknell in creating a huge sea sculpture being made from recycled flotsam and jetsam. Phillipa Macon was doing face painting and temporary tattoos and Jersey Bungee was on site with their bungee rig and Kids bouncy Castle.
The Genuine Jersey Chef’s stage featured demonstrations from 11am on scallop prep and cooking by fisherman Jason Bonhomme, followed by local aquaculture man Steve Luce on oysters. We had French chef Philippe Hardy on stage around midday with Lobster and crab cuisine being demonstrated by popular local chef, Alan Mason at 2pm Jersey’s Michelin Star chef, Mark Jordan working some magic with locally caught fish of the day (bass) and local mussels at 3pm.
Doug Ward of Mr. Fish tackle shop presented some superb prizes at 4pm, on the Genuine Jersey stage, for the bass competition which started midnight Friday night. An added bonus was an auction sale of the Bass with proceeds going to the Festival beneficiary charities RNLI, CI Air-search and Variety sailing Trust.
Festival goers were able to enjoy the water carnival, chef’s demonstrations and superb music line-up (click here for details of the musicians) while dining at the large communal dining area on local seafood and drink.
Daytime events culminated in a prize giving hosted by St. Helier Constable, Simon Crowcroft, on the music stage. Trophies were awarded for the closest timed local boat in the “Rubis” trawler race as well as best timed visiting boat sponsored by “Captain Lobster”. The prestigious Mr. Fish trophy for best decorated vessel presented to the winning vessel then the Sunderland Marine Trophy for best sculling rower.
Catering carried on into the evening for those who chose to stay on and enjoy the music and ambience. The event was brought to a truly grand finale with a spectacular firework display at 10pm provided by local expert Jim Bevis of “Starburst”
