International Festival of the Sea, Portsmouth 24 - 27 August
by David Redfern 30 Jul 2001 10:15 BST
The International Festival of the Sea, which will take place at the Naval Base, Portsmouth (UK) in less than four weeks from now, is the biggest maritime event in the world this year. With around 1000 ships of every type, literally from coracles to carriers, the Festival has now become a
world-class event that ranks alongside not just international maritime
festivals, but can rank with major festivals such as Glastonbury.
It is expected that more than a quarter of a million people will travel to the Festival in Portsmouth over the four days from Friday the 24th of August to Monday the 27th.
Entertainment includes some 2000 musicians, actors and performers who will provide 12 hours of entertainment daily. More than fifty bands will roam the 300 acre site all day and there are also four large stages for major performances. There is a 3000 seater parade ground for active displays
including the Royal Air Force 'Silent Drill', a Beat Retreat, a Field Gun Run, marching bands and active competitions.
Each night, a 1000 metre long carnival parade winds through the dockyard with every element of the festival including twenty five foot high visions of Napolean and Nelson, Stomp Dancers, Stilt Walking Policemen, Maori Dancers, a Steel Band from Antigua, and walking kangaroos and penguins. More than 450 people will be in the parade, which leads the show to the major music arena for a concert each night.
On Friday, the ten thousand-seater concert arena will feature Jane McDonald of the BBC TV series 'Star for a Night' with the BBC Concert Orchestra in a show compered by Radio 2 DJ Ken Bruce and broadcast live on Radio 2 in 'Friday Night is Music Night.'.
Saturday's show is more for the eighties crowd with what used to be called Spandau Ballet celebrating 20 years of their hits, sharing the stage with Hot Chocolate.
Sunday's show has the full band of HM Royal Marines in a new show prepared especially for the International Festival of the Sea including the first performance of a new theme tune called 'International Festival of the Sea'.
On Monday, a grand variety show featuring many of the bands playing all weekend at the festival will create a marvellous finale.
Taking a deliberate view that it would be difficult to better the fireworks seen at the last Portsmouth Festival of the Sea, this year's show goes back to the first Bristol Festival with a nightly show of dancing fountains and lights that will finish off the evening after the concerts.
It is expected that most visitors will come from outside the Portsmouth area and to cope with the influx, the Festival organisers are providing 15,000 Park and Ride spaces each day for car visitors as well as special deals on trains direct to Portsmouth Harbour station.
The International Festival of the Sea is from the 24th to the 27 August at HM Naval Dockyard, Portsmouth. There is an information line on 08705 50 50 40
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