Over 5,000 people enjoyed the fun at the Saundersfoot Harbour Festival on Sunday. This event traditionally ends Pembrokeshire Fish Week and this year was the first on the Wales International Coastal Centre’s new National Events Deck.

The day was a fabulous mix of education, fun and entertainment. Learning how to identify crab species and the microscopic creatures in the sea with the National Parks Rangers and the Darwin Centre attracted lots of children whereas the fish filleting and cookery demonstrations with Nick Bryant and Orsola Muscia (The Tailor Made Chef) were more popular with the adults.

The Festival also had a number of celebrity appearances. Lucy Owen from BBC Wales and author Sarah Phelps ran story telling sessions and Lucy also judged the Fancy Dress Competition. Stormy Stan from the RNLI joined local hero Colin the Crab on several walkabouts, they even had a go at the Tug of War, run by 1Formula Fitness – which Colin won ‘claws down’!

There was live music throughout the day from a range of local musicians and Toby Ellis from Pure West Radio covered much of the event as ‘roving reporter’. Local groups Wiseman’s Bridge Rowing Club and Good Trails Paddle Board School ran taster sessions - there was a bouncy assault course and ‘bucking’ surf board too. For those who preferred a less active day there was some ‘retail therapy’, relaxing hair braiding, face painting or craft sessions.

It wasn’t all about fun and frolics, the event also raised over £1,500 for the RNLI. Much of this was from the fundraising stall and collection buckets on the decking but £600 was raised by the Saundersfoot Sailing Club selling tea and cakes.

The event was organised by Team SaraH (Sara Hicks and Sarah Whiddett).

“We worked our socks off to make this event happen,” said Sarah, “but we couldn’t have done it without the financial support of many local organisations who sponsored the Festival and enabled it to go ahead.”

There was also a huge army of volunteers who gave their time.

“We really felt this was a community event,” said Sara. “So many local groups and individuals came on board to make sure the Festival was not only a success, but also a fabulous event to organise.”

Some quotes from those who came along (from our Facebook page):

• Thank you team SaraH and Colin the crab, it has been a fantastic day! (Brigitte Robinson)

• A great finale to a superb week of activities in the village. Congratulations to everyone involved for making it happen. (Lyn Sandall)

• We all had a great day all 6 of us and we all met Colin the Crab (Meirion Evans)

• Ellis had a great time using the nets at the festival, catching his 1st flat fish (Suzy Armstrong)

• Wow Sara and Sarah - That is a wonderful achievement! Huge hurrahs to the two of you. (Catherine Saker)

• I’d just like to say a massive thank you to you both and all the helpers today for putting on such a great event! (Anna Strzelecki)