Apollo Bay Seafood Festival dishes up this weekend

SUMMER’S Apollo Bay Seafood Festival returns dishing up three days of delicious delights and activities across February 15-17.

The Apollo Bay Harbour will host the seafood experience which kicks off Friday February 15 with the ‘ocean to plate’ gala feast Down the Hatch at the Mechanics Hall from 7pm.

Dinner is courtesy of executive chef Nick Mahlook and his team of artisans from The Atlantic, with Om Nom’s executive chef Jo Ward serving up dessert.

On Saturday February 16 (from 8am to 10am) the Apollo Bay Harbour will transform into an ‘off boat’ market for fresh seafood caught straight from the fishermen’s boat.

Punters will be spoilt for choice with awardwinning oysters from Wapengo Rocks, Yarra Valley Caviar and freshly cooked local rock lobsters from The Apollo Bay Fisherman’s Co-Op.

More tasty options include smoked mussels in whisky cream sauce by Sticks & Bones BBQ, seafood paella by La Bimba, Mushiki Dumplings, local gummy shark burgers from Hello Coffee and epic garlic prawn spring rolls by Giant Springs.

Festival-goers will also be able to quench their thirst with local craft beer Prickly Moses, wine partners Mt Duneed and cocktails from ORA bar to name a few.

There’ll be plenty to do with free behind the scenes Fishing Co-op tours, rope splicing and cray pot making demonstrations.

Festival-goers will also be able to step back in time as the Apollo Bay and District Historical Society share the history of the harbour coupled with Apollo Bay’s oldest boat on display in the slip yard, and for added fun vintage family photo shoots also on site.

For great vibes, music will kick off at midday across two stages lasting until 9pm with Forever Sun headlining followed by Nick Barker Duo, Victoriana Gaye, Gena Rose Bruce, Dean Kruger, Bad Bangs, The Fillmore Brothers, The Vacant Smiles, Mike Elrington and The Refuge.

On Sunday, Richard Cornish and Hillary McNevin will host Conversation in the Littoral, a passionate discussion surrounding the future of sustainability, science and the realities of primary producer life.

The afternoon will run from 10am until 5pm at the Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club, with tickets $50 per person including lunch.

For more details, to purchase tickets and see the full program head to apollobayseafoodfestival.com.