Visitors well & truly hooked on Portland

Major Glenelg Shire summer event attracts thousands to foreshore

Hooked on Portland once again offered all the right ingredients, with tens of thousands flocking to the coastal city of Portland to enjoy one of the region’s fastest growing seafood, music and fishing festivals. Held on January 28 and 29, strong crowds packed the Portland Foreshore to enjoy the extensive array of free, familyfriendly offerings. Glenelg Shire Council Mayor Cr Scott Martin said the festival was another huge success.

“What a perfect culmination to our peak summer visitation period on a high with Hooked on Portland,” he said.

“The city was absolutely buzzing, with the festival attracting tens of thousands of attendees from right across Victoria thanks to the full schedule of free family-friendly entertainment. In fact crowds were almost at their highest level yet, with an estimated 1,500, – 2,000 people passing the festival each hour on Saturday alone.

“It is safe to say that Hooked on Portland is officially on the map as a premier event in south-west Victoria, and very quickly, has garnered a strong following of loyal festival-goers who continue to return each year.

“We look forward to seeing this iconic event continue to evolve and promote our region, including our local produce and our premier fishing status, to a national audience.”

Throughout the day the extensive range of activities included markets, roaming amusements, Skate Park Leagues Australia skateboarding competition, a two-day long fishing competition, local produce and free fishing clinics.

Television chef Courtney Roulston wooed crowds on Saturday from the catch and cook tent, sharing her culinary secrets to the best seafood dishes using locally caught produce. Roulston was joined by Fishing Edge’s Lee Raynor, who provided tips and tricks to eventgoers on the best ‘fishing to plate’ experience, including filleting. The live entertainment once again pulled in strong crowds on Saturday with families bringing picnic rugs and chairs from the early afternoon to listen to live music at the main stage.

This year’s stage moved from the Bentinck Street lawns to the foreshore itself, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in all aspects of the festival from one central location.

The evenings set list culminated with a performance from classic Australian rock band The Black Sorrows, fronted by the legendary Joe Camilleri.

The festival is hosted by Glenelg Shire Council in partnership with the Victorian Fisheries Authority