Beer fest details unveiled for Ipswich Maritime Festival next weekend
More than 65,000 people attended the 2017 Ipswich Maritime Festival Picture: GARY DONNISON
Ipswich Maritime Festival is set to take in a part of the island site for the first time, as event bosses unveil more details of what is set to be the biggest weekender yet.
More than 65,000 people attended the 2017 Ipswich Maritime Festival Picture: GARY DONNISON
The festival, which Ipswich Borough Council announced earlier this year would be annual once again after a stint as a biennial event, will be held on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 August with a host of things to do.
This year’s pirate theme will see demonstrations and reenactments, craft and street food fair, street performers, fireworks, live music and more family activities.
New for this year will be a land train to transport punters and water ferries taking people from one side to the other.
The beer festival will also return, and this time be at the forefront of the festival outside DanceEast and on a part of the island site opposite.
Lewis Belsey, general manager of Isaacs said it brought people from across the county Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN - Credit: Archant
Craig Lannigan, events programme manager at Ipswich Borough Council, said: “It will be very visible.
“The real big thing for us is to create a circular flow around the festival. You tend to go from one end to the other, and we found that you don’t do a return journey quite as much.
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“We are going for more really interactive additions – we want it to be a family environment.
“We have had a really brilliant opportunity to bring more to it.”
The team said having the event, which began in 2010, as an annual festival meant organising could begin earlier, and helped attract sponsors, entertainment and other regulars.
Last year featured more than 65,000 unique visitors across the two days, with bosses hoping this year’s event will top that.
Lewis Belsey, general manager of Isaacs on the Quay which is the main sponsor, said: “They are going a lot larger than previous years.
“It it a massive thing for Ipswich – it really brings the town and it’s maritime history together.
Ipswich Maritime will feature live music, funfair, street food and craft stalls and fireworks among other activities Picture: GARY DONNISON - Credit: Archant
“It is bringing people from outside the area and it’s something people are talking about – it’s fantastic to see the support from all over.”
The beer festival will feature a host of locally brewed ales and craft beers, with the beer festival portion of the festival running over three days.
It will run from 6-10.30pm on Friday, 11am-10.30pm on Saturday and 11am-7.30pm on Sunday.
Visit the website here for more details.
More than 65,000 people attended the 2017 Ipswich Maritime Festival Picture: GARY DONNISON
