The Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival celebrates the towns’ rich maritime heritage with a weekend of food, fun and fishing
With a strong seafaring tradition and fishing industries that goes back through the generations – Sheringham and Cromer have a coastal connection which remains as important to their future as it does their past.
For the past seven years, a team of volunteers from both communities have come together to create a very special event which celebrates their rich heritage, attracts thousands of visitors and boosts local businesses.
The Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival, which runs from May 20 to 22, is a lively weekend of delicious food, entertainment, art, fun and fishing.
Not only does it promote the strong coastal history of the towns and their active fishing communities, it showcases the excellent locally caught and sourced food which is so important to their economies.
Events are run at Evington Lawns in Cromer throughout the weekend, and there is also a busy programme of events on Sunday centred around The Lobster Pub and High Street in Sheringham.
There are special displays and exhibitions in local libraries and museums throughout the weekend, as well as activities on the seafronts and on Cromer Pier.
Watch the fishing boats launch, look out for cookery demonstrations, learn more about conservation, fishing and life in the ocean, take part in heritage and seafaring craft sessions, follow walks and trails, visit market stalls selling local produce and goods and enjoy plenty of live music and entertainment for all ages.
Tickets are also available for a very special seafood banquet to be held on Evington Lawn in Cromer from 7pm to 10pm where you will be able to sample some of the fine food the festival is celebrating.
Each year, the committee also works with the community to create an art trail to encourage families to explore the area. For 2016 there are 102 miniature beach huts waiting to be discovered. The huts were all made by north Norfolk charity About with Friends, which works with children, young people and adults with learning difficulties. The plain wooden huts were then given to businesses, artists, groups and individuals who sponsor and decorate them before displaying them in locations in the towns and surrounding area.
The trail runs from Easter until August, before the huts are auctioned for charity on Sunday, August 28, as part of the World Pier Crabbing Championships event in Cromer. Last year’s auction of decorated ships’ wheels raised more than £5000 for local causes. w
See www.crabandlobsterfestival.co.uk for a full programme of events and ticket information
