The Weymouth BID has announced that WATERFEST Weymouth will not be taking place in 2017.
For the past three years Waterfest has taken place during the first two weeks of September in and around Weymouth Harbour, celebrating Weymouth’s maritime heritage and history blended with entertainment, food and marine displays.
The Waterfest event was created in 2014 and supported financially by the Weymouth BID for the past three years. The event has been delivered by Roger Dalton Associates in conjunction with event sponsors and the Weymouth BID operational team.
Waterfest was set around the historic old harbour in Weymouth and the free festival hosted some of the most fantastic ships in the world including the tall ship, Le Marite, and the beautifully restored 1921 “Excelsior” fishing smack, one of the 40 most important historic ships in the country and not forgetting the iconic Gypsy Moth IV in which Sir Francis Chichester circumnavigated the globe in 1967. A highlight of the festival was the spectacular flyboarding displays that entertained the crowds and Captain Jack Sparrow who roamed the harbour.
Nigel Reed, Weymouth BID Manager said “One of the main aims of the Weymouth BID Business Plan, is to attract visitors and residents into the town during the off-peak season. In reviewing Waterfest, ideas and ways to take the event to a new level were investigated. One proposition stood far above the rest, a Heritage Boat race that ended at Weymouth. The race would attract many heritage boat owners already taking part in similar events in Europe. So, this would not only be a first for Weymouth, but for the UK a potential a mini Tall Ships event. To deliver this in 2017 is not feasible in securing all the elements for 2017, but the commitment from the Heritage Boat fraternity is strong for 2018. Based on this, the BID Board have chosen to postpone Waterfest this year.”
The Weymouth BID’s current term of office ends in May 2018 and therefore the future of Waterfest and similar events will depend on the Weymouth BID being voted back in for a second term by the business community. Weymouth BID will still support a full events programme in Autumn/Winter 2017 with Feast Dining event, Freaky Streets at Halloween and the ice rink for Christmas 2017 being the most notable.
Weymouth Regatta 2017 will still go ahead on 2rd & 3rd September and this year incorporates the Spinlock IRC Southern Area Championships. Winners of Spinlock IRC Championship classes will take home a specially engraved trophy to commemorate their victory. One Design classes will also compete for the coveted Regatta cup. An excellent race line up and a full social programme has been scheduled.
Enquiries to 01305 779410 or email [email protected].
We Are Weymouth info www.weareweymouth.co.uk
Information on the Weymouth Regatta : https://weymouthregatta.uk
