1.2M VISITED TALL SHIPS RACES
EXPERTS REVEAL HOW MANY PEOPLE SAW EVENT
About 1.2million people visited the Tall Ships Races during the Sunderland leg, it has been announced.
The figure has been revealed relating to the five days that the ships were in the city, Tuesday, July 10, to Saturday, July 14.
The statistic has just been unveiled within 72 hours of the 50-plus fleet leaving Wearside for the next leg of the races to Esbjerg.
Before the races, experts had predicted up to 1.5million people could come to the city in what will be the biggest free festival of entertainment to be held anywhere in the UK this year.
Councillor John Kelly, cabinet member for communities and culture at Sunderland City Council said: “We are delighted with the success of The Tall Ships Races, which showcased Sunderland at its best.
“We estimate that visitor figures are in the region of 1.2million, based on num- bers in the event zones, on public transport and using our park and ride facilities.
“Those visitors were lucky enough to see some truly spectacular sights, from the ships themselves and the Parade of Sail to fantastic performances, including the high-wire walk across the River Wear, which will be remembered for a long time to come.
“I hope a lot of them return to Sunderland, for more world-class events, and also to enjoy the many other attractions our city has to offer.” Highlights included; More than 50 ships arriving on Wearside, including the 350ft-long and 170ft-tall Russian giant Mir – the biggest in the fleet.
The visit of the Princess Royal to the National Glass Centre and some of the tall ships on the first official day.
On the same day, thousands of Wearside schoolchildren bid to break the world record for the most people ever to take part in a live-streamed Big Sing at the same time – and they did it!
The hour-long Welcome Parade on Wednesday, which saw more than 600 people march through the Port of Sunderland.
The crew parade on Thursday, which saw hundreds of sail trainees march, sing and dance behind a procession of Hells Angels and stilt walkers.
A programme of more than 200 live acts.
Hundreds of sail trainees arriving in Sunderland, ready to begin their adventure to Esbjerg.
Cirque Bijou’s spectacular tightrope walk above the River Wear.
And on the last day, the sight of 50 ships leaving Wearside as they sailed out to sea, watched by massive crowds which packed into the coastline, including 1,000 people on Roker Pier alone.
First estimates of the official numbers of people who came to Tall Ships Sunderland