Puffin Festival: great displays, great shows
“It was a wonderful weekend.” Organisers of Amble Puffin Festival were delighted at the turnout and reception, as the weekend brought sun, fun and several exceptionally large bird characters to town.
Neighbourhood Watch Stilts International
“There were great displays, great shows,” said Chair of the Amble Event Committee Bart Rippon. “The stilts were really good, and the giant seagulls were brilliant. The weather stayed fine for both days, the music was excellent and we had a fitting end to the festival with sea shanties from the Auckland Shanty Singers.”
Bare Toed aerial dancers and musicians
“It’s been a very interesting festival” said one visitor, “It’s been very good.”
As ever, the festival provided an eclectic mix of local interest, nature walks and history talks as well as arts and crafts over the half term holiday. The main festival took place in the Town Square which filled with entertainers and musicians from far and wide. And dog owners were delighted to see the return of the dog show.
RSPB warden Paul Morrison met the giant seagulls
The live puffin feed from Coquet Island was very popular, and Captain Coquet, aka Paul Morrison, RSPB Coquet Island warden, was inundated with questions about puffins and roseate terns.
Street band Meze Mundo
Live music filled the town square and the performers brought smiles to the crowds. Stilt walkers dressed as fabulous birds carrying exotic people on their backs, while giant seagulls brought huge laughs as they teased unsuspecting passers-by.
Auckland Shanty Singers
On the Sunday, aerial artists Bare Toed dancers drew huge applause from the audience as they span on a hoop suspended in the amphitheatre. And ever-popular giant puffin Tommy Noddy was a decided hit with the younger visitors.
Youngsters enjoyed the roller skating – and meeting Tommy Noddy the giant puffin
After two years of pandemic restrictions, the return of the quirky festival was an opportunity for people to enjoy themselves, and celebrate the return of the puffins on Coquet Island. Another draw this year was information on the Bord Waalk sculpture trail, which will begin construction shortly.
