Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival
It’s here! This weekend is the eighth annual Maritime Festival. All the fun starts on South Quay at 10am on Saturday and Sunday!
Get ready for an action packed programme of Shanty songs, bands, entertainers, tall ships, traditional seafood, craft stalls and demonstrations, not forgetting Horatio Herring and much, much more are the fantastic ingredients for Great Yarmouth’s 8th annual Maritime Festival. This is a spectacular weekend for the family, to celebrate Great Yarmouth’s rich maritime heritage.
This year’s maritime festival takes place on Saturday 8th September 10am - 6pm and Sunday 9th September 10am - 4.30pm Great Yarmouth’s South Quay.
Highlights of the festival include:
Visiting vessels, including the impressive and firm favourite Grand Turk, a replica of an 18th Century frigate which was featured in the TV series "Hornblower". Other vessels include the regular cargo sailing vessel Albatros, HMS vessels, a Motor torpedo boat and famous Wherries.
Music from some of the best shanty groups in the UK, including the Shellback Chorus, Sheringham Shantyman, Benny Captstan Full Strength, Monkey’s Orphan and local talents. The musical programme also includes the Wrentham Brass Band.
Craft marquees full of local and visiting craftsmen
A variety of street entertainment including the Inner State Theatre Company, Balloon modelling and Punch & Judy,
Re-enactments from East Norfolk Militia and Lifeboat demonstrations by the Gorleston RNLI
Royal Naval Simulators - experience a ride in a Super X ride simulator
East Anglian Working Newfoundland Dogs – land demonstrations of the dogs' extraordinary talents
Marine Model Boat and Maritime Art Exhibition
Guided heritage walks – Official Heritage Tour Guides will be leading walks around some of the best maritime heritage sites around South Quay.
The very best in traditional seafood, light refreshments, including beer in “Horatio’s Bar”
Brand New Features for 2007
Cooking demonstrations will be held throughout the festival. Watch top chefs from the region cook up feasts and dishes using Maritime ingredients.
Providing a unique opportunity to view a historic selection of maps, prints and memorabilia from Great Yarmouth over the centuries; and displays of history from local firms that have been trading in Great Yarmouth for at past 100 years or more.
The ‘Atlantic Challenge’ rowing race is a speed challenge designed to capture the world record for fastest non-powered crossing of the Atlantic Ocean and is scheduled to take place mid to late November this year.
The rowing team will be demonstrating their rowing techniques down the river during the Festival.
CHAIRMAN OF THE MARITIME FESTIVAL COMMITTEE - AILEEN MOBBS
And Director of the Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority
‘It’s been ‘all hands on deck’ to help make this year’s festival the best yet! Months of planning brings together some of the very best of maritime attractions from around the UK joining some of our best home grown talent.’
HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR OF GREAT YARMOUTH - CLLR PAUL GARROD
Take time to enjoy a splendid mix of maritime vessels, music, crafts and maritime attractions for this is truly a celebration of the Borough’s proud maritime heritage. Now in its eighth year the Maritime Festival is established as one of the Borough’s top events and I would like to pay tribute to the hard working Festival Committee and the support of several local companies who help make the Festival a great success.
CHAIRMAN OF GREATER YARMOUTH TOURIST AUTHORITY – MALCOLM BIRD
On behalf of the Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority, we are pleased to be part of a spectacular nautical event that brings together so many people to experience Great Yarmouth’s rich maritime heritage.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors and all those who give up their time to make this such an action packed weekend.
We would also like to invite you to visit our newly regenerated seafront where you can experience a dynamic blend of old and new charm.
EDDIE FREEMAN – CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF GREAT YARMOUTH PORT COMPANY
The Great Yarmouth Port Company Ltd is delighted to be part of the 2007 Maritime Festival. As you will all know, the long-awaited construction of the Outer Harbour is now under way and we fully expect that the integration of the new development with the existing port activities, will create a significant port entity capable of meeting the ongoing requirements of our customers, whilst breaking new ground with regard to its offering to the port industry at home and abroad.
The Great Yarmouth Port Company Ltd is part of the local community and, as such, remains very supportive in staging what has now become an important annual community event.
We wish you a very enjoyable Festival.
For further information please contact Nicola Gibson, Marketing and Promotions Manager on tel: 01493 846340 or e-mail: nmg@great-yarmouth.gov.uk
Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival Website www.maritime-festival.co.uk
Great Yarmouth Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01493 846347