Isle of Man's first festival to celebrate the Manx Queenie

The Isle of Man's first Queenie festival will be taking place from 2nd – 9th August 2008. The Isle of Man will be championing its local produce this summer with the launch of the it’s first scallop festival. The Queenie festival will celebrate the great Manx Queenie; the local name for the queen scallop, a close cousin of the king scallop caught in and around the Isle of Man's clear waters.

Throughout the first week in August, the Queenie Festival will be showcasing this Manx delicacy, which until recently was under severe threat through over dredging. However, due to pioneering conservationists, the Queenie is now undergoing a resurgence due to new measures being undertaken in local waters. Open and closed fishing areas and new fishing techniques have helped to preserve the seabed and ensure that the Queen scallop is fished sustainably.

The week long festival will culminate in The Marine Day Celebration of the Sea on the closing Saturday. Attractions will include TV’s travelling chefs, the Hairy Bikers, as well as children’s touch tanks, seafood barbecues, live cooking demonstrations and competitions.

Further details of the Isle of Man Queenie Festival can be found at Queeniefestival.com.