Thousands flock to Crick Boat Show

There were smiles all round as crowds of boating enthusiasts descended on Crick Boat Show over the Bank Holiday weekend.

With boat displays, craft stalls, live music, fairground rides and plenty to eat and drink, the three day event really did offer something for everyone - and unusually for a Bank Holiday, the weather was decent too.

The popular free boat rides booked up early every day, while a series of seminars offered the chance to learn more about the history and future of Britain’s canals.

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This year’s event commemorated the 300th anniversary of the birth of canal engineer James Brindley, with an actor dressed as the great man to greet to visitors and tell them all about early canal building.

Kids had the chance to ride on the helter skelter or get their face painted for free, while adults descended on the beer and cider festival provided by Crick’s Wheatsheaf pub.

Music acts also took to the stage from 11.30am each morning, with Blondie tribute act Blondied and songwriter Tom Robinson headlining on the Saturday and Sunday evenings after the main show closed.

Down at the marina, there were modern electric powered boats on display alongside more traditional canal vessels - including a boat named Angel that was built in 1936.

It was the 17th year that the Boat Show, which is Britain’s largest inland waterways festival, had been held at Crick Marina.

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