Foyle Maritime
Festival set to make waves
20.06.24
IT'S been two years since
the River Foyle played host to one of the country’s
biggest nautical celebrations and this year the suspense
is building as Derry prepares to unveil the exciting new
look Foyle Maritime Festival on June 27th.
Traditionally held in July, the festival sails forward a
month, to coincide perfectly with the start of the
school holidays, heralding the official start of summer!
The event space has been completely transformed this
year to create a more accessible user-friendly
experience for visitors. The full road closure on the
Queen’s Quay will open the site up for everyone to
safely enjoy the festivities and the redesigned market
configuration will provide a more visitor friendly
environment. The new look festival programme also boasts
some fantastic additions this year, with even more free
animation and activity for families.
In 2022 over 150,000 visitors flocked to the festival,
with huge numbers also expected to turn out this year. |
Among the new highlights
of this year’s programme is the fabulous Carnival of
Colours, which will take over the lower stretch of the
quayside, bringing a vibrant array of high energy
performance and street entertainment to the festival.
For the first time the Foyle Maritime Festival will also
host the Get Up Street Art Festival – an edgy urban
celebration of graffiti culture. Watch some of the most
talented artists at work on stunning large-scale pieces,
enjoy a live painting street party and hone your own
skills in the painting workshops.
Fabulous food is definitely on the menu at the festival
and there’s a place for everyone at the Captain’s Table,
which will provide an enhanced dining experience with
even more delicious delights on offer. There will be
additional seating and tables along the Quayside for
diners, and of course picnic fans who are welcome to
bring their own homemade treats along.
The culinary experience continues in the Legenderry Food
Village where an array of local food businesses will be
showcasing the very best in local and sustainable
produce. Enjoy a medley of international dishes, from
authentic South African street food to smoking US
barbeque. Soak up the festival vibes with DJ sets
keeping the ambient mood going in the bar area all
weekend.
The Foyle Maritime Festival has something for all ages
and there will be plenty of entertainment and activities
to keep the little crew members busy throughout the
festival along the Pirates Pontoon, from water sport
taster sessions, to the vintage funfair.
Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the festivities from the
crow’s nest, as the Big Wheel moves right to the heart
of the action in the middle of the quay, offering
stunning panoramic views over the Foyle and beyond.
Hop on board one of the six stunning Tall Ships which
will be berthed at the Quayside throughout the festival
and find out more about their fascinating history and
trips on the high seas.
These are just a few of the programme highlights at this
year’s Foyle Maritime Festival – find out more over the
coming weeks at
www.foylemaritime.com . |
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