PRESS RELEASE 28TH AUGUST 2007 8th - 9th September 2007 - Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL THE FAMILY Admission is free! 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. Families will be entertained throughout the festival with some of the very best shanty singers, music, entertainers and demonstrators throughout the UK New to the festival this year is ‘FEAST OF FISH’ IN THE GALLEY. Throughout the festival, visitors will be able to watch top chefs from the region cook up feasts and dishes using Maritime ingredients. The Maritime Committee decided to introduce this new feature following the success of an episode of ITV’s 'Coastal Kitchen’ with Chris Coubrough, filmed at last year’s festival - which followed Chris searching for maritime ingredients to cook a Maritime Feast. Also new to this year’s festival is demonstrations from the La Mondiale – The Columbus Run 11 - ROWING CHALLENGE - 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. Festival goers can expect to see familiar festival favourites, such as painting from local artists Ernie Child and Joe Crowfoot; rope knotting and spinning & lace making. The committee are pleased to welcome back Ship Bottling demonstrations – watch and marvel at how 18th century monks placed crucifixes into bottles and the techniques used by early sailors to build ships in bottles. Crowds will also enjoy entertainment throughout the festival displays from local re-enactment group East Norfolk Militia, Water displays and demonstrations from Gorleston RLNI lifeboat and East Anglian Newfoundland Dogs. 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. Continues…. 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, * Royal Naval Simulators - experience a ride in a Super X ride simulator * Marine Model Boat and Maritime Art Exhibition * The very best in traditional seafood, light refreshments, including beer in “Horatio’s Bar” -ends- Info for the Editor: The 2007 Festival is supported by 13 local companies who have become 'Gold Anchor' or 'Silver Darling' sponsors and without their support the festival would not be what it is. The Official sponsors of the Festival are Screen Print Plus, Gardline Group, PKF, Persimmon, Thrigby Hall & Wildlife Gardens, TV Palmer Ltd, Aldreds, J& H Bunns, Vestas, Bateman Groundworks, SBS, ELM Contracts and A.C Pembroke Builder Ltd Media enquiries, please contact: Nicola Gibson, Tourism Division Greater Yarmouth Borough Council, Maritime House, 25 Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2EN Tel: 01493 846340; Fax: 01493 858588; 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