SETTING A COURSE FOR FESTIVAL
ALL things that float and some that fly will be celebrated at the 2017 Maritime Festival which is due to take place on Wexford Quays on July 1 and 2.
The festival will celebrate the emergency services and will include some of those on the front line with Ireland’s various rescue and support services.
It will include family-friendly events including a new adventure challenge in which people can learn life-saving skills, talk to the crews and try out some of their equipment.
These will include a large decontamination unit from the HSE, Irish Air Corps, Irish Army Bomb Disposal, An Gardai Siochana Water Unit, RNLI Respect the Water Unit, Irish Coast Guard, Wexford MarineWatch and Ask, Slaney Search and Rescue, Irish Water Safety, Civil Defence, 13th Wexford Scouts and the Girl Guides.
There will also be a ‘Try It’ dock with stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing and powerboat trips as well as the super fun raft races.
Historic lifeboats from England and Ireland will make their journeys to Wexford for the weekend, with smaller model versions of 100 model boats on display in the Maritime Village. The John Power Maritime Photographic Exhibition with over 1,100 photos will also be on display.
A childrens village with arts and colouring, environment workshops, an exploration dome and the viking village with brass rubbing and sheild making will keep the kids amused along with the kids disco fun on the main stage. A showcase of Wexfords dance and performing groups will take place from 2pm each day as well as bands.
The Feast of Wexford will showcase the Wexford Food Family’s local producers along with festival food options.
Highlights of the festival will be the Search and Rescue Demonstration with Rescue 117 and the Air Corps along with Wexford Lifeboat and the Civil Defence. Thundercats will be back this year as well as the Laser Championships which are also in Wexford providing a great visual backdrop to the festival with over 100 sailing boats.