Preparations Underway For Whitby's Fish And Ships Festival

Preparations are in full swing as Whitby gears up to host thousands of families for the annual Fish and Ships Festival, celebrating the town's rich maritime heritage.

Preparations are well underway for a family-friendly festival celebrating Whitby’s fishing heritage, which is once again set to attract thousands of families to the North Yorkshire coast.

The Fish and Ships Festival is one of the most recognised events honouring the town’s maritime history and celebrates the vital role that local people and businesses play in putting the region’s world-class seafood on the map.

Organised by North Yorkshire Council, the two-day festival will be held at the Marina Front Car Park on Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17.

Families will be treated to a wide range of entertainment, including cooking and fish craft demonstrations by local chefs, giant fish displays showcasing different species caught off the coast, and fascinating sessions on the art of pot sewing and net mending.

There is also a packed schedule of live music from local bands and sea balladeers, alongside maritime-themed arts and crafts for people of all ages.

The event is being supported by local businesses, community groups, and performers keen to showcase Whitby’s fishing heritage and some of the best local produce that the region has to offer.

Darren Archibald, known as Archie, is the creator of Whitby Sea Salt and a co-founder of Made in Whitby, a company that brings together creative business owners to promote local products. He has played a leading role in bringing local performers, businesses, and entrepreneurs together to support the upcoming event.

Darren Archibald said:

"Whitby Fish and Ships is a brilliant event that brings together enthusiastic and passionate local businesses and people to celebrate the town’s great fishing heritage and history. It’s important that events like this go ahead, as they help to build collaboration and resilience across the tourism sector and the businesses that supply and support the local economy. By working together, we can continue to support and promote Whitby as a jewel on the coast, reminding new and returning visitors of its fascinating maritime heritage and ensuring it remains a great place to live, work and visit. We attended last year’s event and it was a fabulous success, with a positive effect both on locals and visitors during the weekend and beyond. As Made in Whitby, we draw our inspiration and passion from this great harbour, coastline and heritage, It’s a pleasure for us to be involved in an event that adds to the fantastic atmosphere Whitby has all-year-round."

After becoming a huge crowd favourite last year, the Fisherman’s Olympics will return for a second time, with members of local fishing crews set to compete in a range of challenges including a tug-o-war, rope splicing, and pot stacking.

A range of artisan goods and local produce will be on sale as businesses showcase their skills and craftsmanship. Meanwhile, a giant crab puppet, which has been made in collaboration with local schools, will be unveiled and paraded around the festival for visitors to enjoy.

Elsewhere, the Whitby Lobster Hatchery is preparing to release baby lobsters at the East Pier on both days over the course of the weekend, while visitors can also stop by the lifeboat station to find out more about the important work of the Whitby Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Councillor Simon Myers said:

"This was a fantastically well-attended event last year and I’m confident it will be just as popular again next weekend. It’s important to celebrate Whitby’s maritime heritage and the significant role fishing has played, and continues to play, in shaping the much-loved town that it is today. Whitby Fish and Ships offers visitors a great opportunity to meet the hugely talented professionals working in the maritime industry and learn more about the contribution they make across North Yorkshire."

According to North Yorkshire Council, tourism in Whitby generates about £350 million each year and contributes to the county's wider visitor economy, which is worth more than £4 billion annually.