ALL waterways led to Crick over the bank holiday weekend when the village hosted the annual Crick Boat Show.
Some 27,000 visitors sailed into the Crick Marina over three days for what is now Britain’s biggest inland waterways festival.
Attractions included free boat trips, 300 exhibitors from across the canal world, children’s activities, show boats, a real ale marquee and plenty to eat.
The event, which was organised by Waterways World in partnership with the Canal & River Trust and Crick Marina, saw over 250 exhibitors gather by the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line for three days of trading and entertainment, with an extra Trade & Preview Day, in association with LeeSan, held on Friday May 24.
Peter Johns, Publisher of Waterways World & Show Director, said: “The event is firmly established as the focal point of the year for the canal boat industry with more than 40 new boats from many of the country’s top boat builders on display. Boats ranged from the 40ft Aintree Beetle to Finesse Boats’ huge and inescapable 70 by 13ft Brigantine.
“Boat builders reported healthy level of interest with many orders secured and our new Preview Day worked well with most boat viewings fully booked. Many exhibitors appreciated the chance to spend more time talking to fellow exhibitors and we already have some new ideas on how to build on the Trade and Preview Day for 2020.Total attendance of just over 1,500 trade and public visitors exceeded our expectations.
“Whatever stage of someone’s planning for boat ownership, the Show had something to offer. Almost 1,400 enjoyed free boat trips along the Grand Union Canal, more than 2,000 attended the free seminars on boat ownership, and the 200 boat handling taster sessions were fully booked weeks in advance of the Show.
“As well as showcasing the boating industry the Show is an opportunity for the inland boating world to come together to meet old friends and make new ones. Fifteen bands entertained visitors and exhibitors across the weekend, including Los Pacaminos and the Dolly Parton Tribute ‘Dolly and the Moonshine Runners’.
Matthew Symonds, National Boating Manager for the Canal & River Trust, added: “Every year Crick Boat Show, now the UK’s biggest inland waterways festival, celebrates our fantastic network of canals and rivers. It’s the perfect event to find everything you need to know about inland boating, with something for boaters old and new.
“Our team welcomed thousands of visitors to the Trust marquee over the weekend, with staff and volunteers highlighting the diverse range of work the Trust does to care for the waterways so that boaters and many others can enjoy them.
“Research shows spending time by water makes us all healthier and happier. Boating is a great way to enjoy our wonderful 2,000-mile network of inland waterways, get close to nature and improve your wellbeing.
“We are delighted to have once again been a partner in the Crick Boat Show and welcomed so many of today’s boaters and hopefully many future boaters to the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal over the bank holiday weekend.”
Observer photographer Jon Mullis ‘barged’ in to take some snaps.
