Thousands of people ate, drank, danced and shopped at the fifth Maryport Taste of the Sea festival this weekend.
The event was the biggest yet – spread over two sites, right around the town’s historic waterfront. It used the new Harbourside event space, created as part of Cumberland Council’s £12 million regeneration projects, and the Marine Road showfield.
The festival also marked the official opening of the new event space, where international chef Jack Stein, son of TV star Rick Stein, and Cartmel’s Masterchef winner Irini Tzortzoglou, were both showcasing their skills. Elsewhere in the festival, there was a big Producers’ Market, packed with local food and drink, two stages for live entertainment, and a lively Rum Bar, run by the team from Maryport Round Table.
The team from Chelaris fishing boat were selling their catch, many traders, including the Oyster Bar, sold out twice, and the Teenage Market and TEG Retail stalls were also doing brisk trade.
Ten of Maryport’s brilliant businesses, many of which have benefited from shopfront grants as part of the Council’s regeneration work, also took part in a Postcard Trail featuring scenes from the past and promoting Maryport Maritime Museum ahead of its opening this Autumn.
None of this could happen without a massive team effort. The Taste Cumbria festivals are organised by Cumberland Council and Taste of the Sea’s major sponsor is Maryport Town Council. Thank you also to the other 2025 sponsors, Milburns Solicitors, Grants Oak Smoked, Thomas Armstrong Construction and Forth Engineering, and our supporters Maryport Business Group, Maryport Round Table and Maryport Harbour Authority.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“What a weekend! It is fantastic to see the Taste Cumbria events getting bigger and better and bringing millions of pounds into the local economy. Thank you to the people of Maryport for really getting behind Taste of the Sea and making us so welcome.
“The biggest vote of thanks has to go to our event team, volunteers, sponsors and supporters. Many months of work goes into staging these festivals and their dedication makes it all possible.”
Taste Cumbria is back in Cockermouth for the flagship festival on 27 and 28 September, then in Carlisle on 1 and 2 November, with the final event, a Christmas special, in Cockermouth on 6 and 7 December.
For the latest information on all the Taste Cumbria events visit www.tastecumbria.co.uk