A CELEBRATION which is sure to make a splash will be held in Perdiswell Park this August Bank Holiday weekend.
More than 100 visiting boats dressed with festival bunting will be moored along the banks of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and part of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) Festival of Water.
A full programme of live music and dance will take place at the event which is supported by Worcester City Council.
Local legends, the Woo Town Hillbillies will play original songs and lively covers, featuring four-part harmonies, guitars, banjo, ukulele and a double bass.
There will be craft stalls, food outlets, a real ale bar, an entertainments marquee with live music plus lots of other attractions too. Activities include children’s rides, swing boats, a chance to have a go at driving a digger with IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group, fishing sessions, as well as demonstrations of a coracle and an electric punt.
Little Radford Model Boat Club are bringing a huge display of many, beautifully detailed model boats, which will form this year’s illuminated display of boats.
The Find it Do it Worcester Arena will showcase local youth and sports activities. Visitors can also find out more about life on the canal which runs through the city in a series of presentations – from living afloat and greener boating to performances by Alarum Theatre Productions.
Originally planned for 2020 to coincide with the anniversary of the very first meeting of IWA co-founders at Tardebigge on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, this will be a highlight of IWA’s 75th anniversary celebrations.
“The Worcester and Birmingham Canal is a fantastic asset, providing a haven for wildlife and an attractive route for walking, cycling and boating,” said Coun James Stanley, chair of Worcester City Council’s Communities Committee.
“This promises to be a fantastic family event for the whole community to enjoy – we look forward to welcoming boaters from across the UK to Worcester.”
Jane Elwell, Chair of Events Committee at IWA said: “The Worcester and Birmingham Canal played an important role in the history of IWA and we think it is a very fitting place to celebrate the start of our 75th anniversary year.
“Our Festival of Water at Perdiswell Park will not only look back at the past 75 years but also towards the future of the waterways.”
Entry to the festival and car parking are free. Call 01635 414567 or e-mail [email protected] for more.
Visit www.waterways.org.uk/festivalofwater for more on the event.
