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Boats galore at the EDF Energy Bristol Harbour Festival

Hundreds of boats are expected to sail into Bristol's historic harbour for the EDF Energy Bristol Harbour Festival, which takes place from Friday July 27 to Sunday July 29.

Organisers Bristol City Council say the event, which is one of the UK's biggest free festivals, looks set to attract more vessels than ever before with over 250 boats of all shapes and sizes taking part.

Star attractions will include tall ships such as the Irish famine ship the Jeanie Johnston and the Kaskelot, a three-masted barque and star of the recent film 'Shackleton'.
Also visiting for the first time will be the Pelican, a 150ft converted square rigger sail training ship, with the mast and sails of a design last used by pirates nearly two centuries ago.

Bristol's own replica of John Cabot's ship Matthew, which sailed to Newfoundland in 1497, will be doing trips around the harbour from its base by the ss Great Britain, Brunel's 19th century ship and now a multiple award-winning visitor attraction.

Moored near the ss Great Britain will be a replica of Discovery, the tiny ship that took settlers to the 'New World' in 1607 and now visiting Bristol 400 years on as part of a tour around the English coastline to tell the story of the early Virginian settlements.

Nearby there will be an exhibition of traditional maritime skills such as rigging and various types of boat construction techniques, as well as a number of beautiful Bristol Channel pilot cutters.

And the handcrafted rowing gig "Isambard", built at Bristol's Underfall Yard and successfully crewed by a women's team at the world championships in the Scilly Isles in May this year, will be back in her home city.
Councillor Rosalie Walker, Bristol's executive member for health and well-being said: "The EDF Energy Bristol Harbour Festival takes place in a unique and inspiring waterside location.

"Visitors can expect to see boats of all kinds including the stunning tall ships and enjoy superb music, dance and street theatre set against the backdrop of Bristol's historic harbour. I am really looking forward to July and the exciting prospect of seeing such a marvellous spectacle."

Hilary Walkman, sponsorship and pr manager for EDF Energy, title sponsor of the festival, said: "EDF Energy is proud to sponsor such a popular community event that brings together people from all walks of life and every generation to join in the maritime celebration and wide variety of free entertainment."

Set against the backdrop of the city's landmark harbour, the rapidly-expanding festival also features live music, dance, circus and street theatre across five stages, children's entertainment, continental food including a French market and local craft stalls.

There will be an opening concert by reggae legends Toots and the Maytals and a spectacular Saturday night firework finale, launched from the top of the city's Industrial Museum, close to the water's edge.

The EDF Energy Bristol Harbour Festival is one of the UK's biggest and most popular free festivals, showcasing the best of what Bristol has to offer in terms of music and leisure alongside national and international performers.

In a city that is pioneering environmental initiatives, the event is planned to be the greenest yet with organisers Bristol City Council aiming to more than double the amount of waste that is recycled at this year's festival.
The festival is funded by Bristol City Council and title sponsors EDF Energy with additional support from Abolition 200, and Willmott Dixon - sponsors of the Queen Square stage.