The Comber Potato Festival returns for its second year, celebrating the town’s finest food on Saturday 7 June.
The one-day festival, organised by Ards Borough Council in partnership with Food NI and Comber Early Growers, takes place in the town’s central square and has been organised to showcase the world famous Comber spuds, which achieved EU ‘Protected Geographical Indication’ status in January 2012.
[caption id="attachment_40064" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Ards Borough Council Mayor Councillor Stephen McIlveen at the Comber Potato Festival on 2013[/caption]The locally grown potatoes are the only variety of potato entitled to the name ‘New Season Comber Potatoes’ or ‘Comber Earlies’ and their harvest is an important time in the Northern Ireland food calendar as the Mayor of Ards, Councillor Stephen McIlveen, explained, launching the event:
“Comber Earlies are more than humble potatoes. Their harvest is eagerly anticipated by retailers, professional chefs and home cooks alike, and their protected EU status not only highlights the unique climate and geographic position of Comber which produces the distinctive earthy, sweet and nutty flavour, but also the expertise and dedication of the farmers who grow them.”
“Following the huge success of last year’s festival, I’m delighted that the potato and all that it symbolises will be showcased once again on 7 June, and look forward to welcoming locals and visitors alike to Comber”.
The event provides the perfect opportunity to sample the Comber Earlies at their very best and will also feature a host of other culinary delights from local food producers including cheeses, chocolates, pies and desserts.
Other entertainment on the day will include children’s craft workshops, live music, Phil’s Farm, the stilt walking ‘Farmer Spud’, and ‘Penny the Potato Grower’, a vintage tractor display, cookery demonstrations and a treasure hunt organised by Comber Chamber of Commerce.
Local businesses will also be joining in the celebrations with Comber Early themed shop window displays.
For further information visit: www.ards-council.gov.uk or call Ards Tourist Information Centre on 028 9182 6846.]]>
