Festival for the Ocean Makes a Big Splash
Visitors of all ages gathered at Gyllyngvase Beach on Sunday 7 June for Falmouth Town Council's second annual Festival for the Ocean, enjoying a spectacular celebration of the sea, marine wildlife and ocean conservation.
Festival for the Ocean Makes a Big Splash Ahead of World Ocean Day
Visitors of all ages gathered at Gyllyngvase Beach on Sunday 7 June for Falmouth Town Council’s second annual Festival for the Ocean, enjoying a spectacular celebration of the sea, marine wildlife and ocean conservation.
Organised by Falmouth Town Council and supported by Cornwall Council’s Fal and Helford Marine Recreational Mitigation Project, the free event brought the beach to life with giant marine creatures, hands-on activities and opportunities to learn more about the natural environment on Falmouth’s doorstep.
Hundreds of festival-goers flocked to Gyllyngvase Beach, where they encountered a giant cuttlefish and life-size basking shark parading along the shoreline. Created by Duncan Cameron of Falmouth University’s Beach Beasties project, the striking sculptures depicted wildlife found in Falmouth Bay, using art to highlight the plight of our oceans.
Throughout the afternoon, some of Cornwall’s leading environmental organisations were on hand to educate, inform and inspire visitors of all ages about the habitats and creatures that call our waters their home. The three-hour extravaganza featured snorkel safaris, seagull-scarer making, litter-picking, live demonstrations, magnetic fishing and giant jaws, ensuring there was something for everyone.
The Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor Alan Jewell, joined the procession alongside visitors and participants, helping to celebrate the town’s close connection with the sea.
Falmouth Town Council would like to thank everyone who attended and helped make the Festival for the Ocean such a success. The event would not have been possible without the support of the following organisations:
- Falmouth Marine Conservation
- Cornwall Wildlife Trust
- Ocean Buffer
- University of Exeter
- Falmouth University
- Plastic Free Falmouth
- Marine Biology Life
- BDMLR (British Divers Marine Life Rescue)
- Falmouth Library
- Falmouth Art Gallery
- Greenpeace
- National Coastwatch Institution (NCI)
- CRAC Radio
The event took place on the eve of World Oceans Day, celebrated on 8 June to raise awareness of the importance of healthy oceans and marine ecosystems. With hundreds of people taking part throughout the afternoon, the festival provided a fitting way to mark the occasion, encouraging residents and visitors alike to connect with the sea, discover the wildlife of Falmouth Bay and learn how they can help protect our oceans for future generations.
