Kicking off with a Street Party on Main Street and concluding with the traditional Molly Doll to the Sea event on Sunday, this year’s programme is the busiest and best yet with an array of sea-inspired events for all ages, featuring exciting food collaborations, coastal excursions, taste trails, a produce market and much more.
There will be lots of tempting treats to follow fun activities like Sunrise Yoga, Sauna and a Seabrew Breakfast; a Sunset Paddle and a Pizza; Family fun Yoga and a Picnic; Board ‘N Blaa—a surf lesson followed by a filled blaa; and a Paint & Sip workshop led by local artist Anouschka Joyce…among other events.
Of course, you don’t have to exercise before eating with some fabulous food pairings coming together specially for this weekend, such as Homegrown—A Taste of Tramore, which is a feast of food grown, picked, foraged and prepared by Little Catch, Mezze, Seagull Bakery and Unbeetable Food—all award-winning establishments.
And for one weekend only, Dublin’s Fish Shop will take up residence in the Beach House restaurant for a Takeover—expect a menu of fish, chips and wine with local lobster, crab and oysters.
There’s a Fermentation Workshop, Beachcomb and Found Objects Craft Workshop and Coastal Forage to work up an appetite!
While many events are ticketed, there are also many free events to enjoy such as a self-guided Taste Tour, Artsorm by the Sea, Taste Waterford Demo and Chat, HIIT the Beach fitness class, Ceili at the Crossroads, Walking Tours, a Book Swap and Craft Station, Musical Sea Tales and funky tunes from the Campervan of Sound.
This year the festival also celebrates 200 years of Tramore’s Metalman, who has stood as a warning to seafarers for the past two centuries. You may be lucky enough to spot the moving Metalman and hop around it three times for good luck (or as legend has it, be married within the year!).
The festival comes to a close on Sunday at 4.30 p.m. with a traditional event when the handwoven wicker Molly Doll is surfed out to sea. The event marks the end of the swimming season and the start of the surfing season, and a local historian will tell the story of the tradition before this unique spectacle.
Sustainability is also to the fore with wash stations for a “bring your own cup/lunch box” initiative and free water bottle refills at participating businesses.
Festival Director Bernie Power says: “The Vitamin Sea Festival is a wonderful celebration of Tramore’s natural beauty and coastal offerings, catering to all ages.
“From food collaborations to wellness activities, educational workshops, and entertainment, it a well-rounded celebration that embraces both the local heritage and the community grá for Tramore.
“It is also a great way to appreciate both the scenery and the many food and drinks businesses in the area. We hope you have as much fun as we did creating Vitamin Sea Festival!”
The festival is largely run by volunteers with support from main funding partner Waterford City and County Council, and local businesses and sponsors Curran Foods, NearForm, Griffin Auctioneers, Cove Stores, Doolys, Waterford Credit Union, AIB, Thomas Phelan and Direct Wines.
