Ipswich: Thousands at Maritime Festival

19 August 2012, 20:04 | Updated: 19 August 2012, 21:16

Around 60 thousand people are thought to have attended the Ipswich Maritime Festival this weekend.

Councillor Carole Jones, Economic Development and Planning Portfolio Holder for Ipswich Borough Council, said: “What a
fabulous weekend it was on the Waterfront and throughout the town
centre. The Maritime Ipswich Festival was a great success and I would like
to thank our events team for putting it on and all the businesses who
supported it. The Waterfront is a great venue for a celebration and this
event came in the middle of a fantastic summer for Ipswich."


The Waterfront was a hive of activity throughout the weekend, with the Beer Festival in full flow from Thursday afternoon right through until Sunday evening. Live music and food stalls all added to the sense of occasion.

Vincent Cheung, proprietor of Aqua 8, Mizu and Mizumoto, set up a mobile version of his restaurants next to the Beer Festival: “It’s been a really good weekend for us. This is the first year we’ve done it and we’d certainly look to come again next year. It’s great promotion for our town centre business and an opportunity for potential new customers to experience and enjoy our food.”

With historical re-enactments and musket firing across the water every few hours, the weekend was also a chance for visitors to learn more about Ipswich’s maritime history. Children made pottery and engaged with the historical ‘figures’ that paraded around the Waterfront on Saturday and Sunday, whilst basking in the sunshine.  

Justin Bowser, of HTKHorizon.com, commented: “As a Waterfront business, it was brilliant to see so many people down here this weekend. We know that the Ipswich Waterfront is the best place to work in Suffolk and it’s our aim to help it become a ‘destination’ for people to live, work and enjoy.”

Paul Clement, Chief Executive of Ipswich Central, said: “Ipswich really was at its best this weekend. We have an incredible town and Maritime Ipswich demonstrated this to its fullest. And it’s not all over! Celebrate Ipswich runs until Friday, with offers and treats still to be had in the town centre via Ipswich VIP and Picnic on the Plaza will be returning on the Cornhill on Wednesday.”