Suffolk: Plan for Ipswich Celebrations

22 June 2012, 00:00 | Updated: 22 June 2012, 06:10

After the success of last year’s Maritime Ipswich festival, Ipswich Central and Ipswich Borough Council have decided to announce plans for an even bigger and better celebration for 2012.

It will have the Maritime festival - Saturday 18^th and Sunday 19^th August - at the heart of it and surrounding the festival on a wider scale is Celebrate Ipswich, bringing the town together. Celebrate Ipswich begins on Monday 13^th August, straight after the Olympics, and runs until Friday 24^th August.

 Paul Clement, Chief Executive of Ipswich Central, said: “The event was a great success last year, with more than 55,000 people in attendance. We hope to make it bigger and better this year and have extended it into a two-week celebration of Ipswich, which encompasses not only the waterfront area but the retail and restaurant zones too. The fortnight is set to include a celebration of all that makes our County town so special; a plethora of in-store activities, on-street entertainment, amazing food and drink offers as well as the successful Maritime Festival weekend in the middle.

 “It’s definitely set to be an exciting two weeks in Ipswich, and not to be missed!”

What’s On?

Amongst other things you will be able to experience:

• Food and Drink Festival – expect to experience something different from Suffolk’s best producers and Ipswich’s favourite restaurants. 
• Beer Festival - Campaign for Real Ale. Celebrating the 30^th Beer Festival, offering a wide range of beers, with up to 180 to try and buy. 
• Vintage and Craft Market – an eclectic selection of vintage and craft stalls celebrating a diverse range of local art and design. 
• Fairground rides – a wide variety of funfair rides and games.
• Orwell River Cruises – All aboard for a trip on the Orwell Lady. A magnificent local experience for the whole family.
• Ghost Walk – Join in if you dare! For a guided walk looking into the darker side of Ipswich’s history. 
• Maritime Market – a mixture of market stalls including crafts, gifts, books, vintage items together with information stands. 
• YO HO HO Pirate Show – An original happy tale of adventure on the seven seas told by beautifully crafted glove puppets.  
• Georgian Ipswich – See how working boats were transported and crews were transferred. 
• Cardinal Wolsey – Come and meet Cardinal Wolsey. Find out about his life, and in particular his role as one of the most influential Tudor figures in the Royal Court of King Henry VIII.  
• Comedy waiters and chefs – a cascade of stupidity whilst the chefs pretend to serve the audience. 
• Regatta  - Old GAFFERS Association. A series of water based activities to watch including rowing and sailing races. 
• UCS Art Exhibition – featuring pieces drawn from a national call for entries.
•  Fireworks display – a spectacular fireworks display. Be dazzled with the display of colour and sound. 
• WW2 and 1940’s Home Front – see Royal Navy Commandos and encampments formed during the war to perform the My Raid duties necessary in facilitating the successful landing on enemy held shores.  

During the two weeks, shop windows throughout the town will be dressed to impress and you can vote for your favourite in a competition. Special Maritime offers and treats will be available to VIP’s with maritime cocktails, marine manicures, sailor’s lunches and much more on offer 

Councillor Carole Jones, Economic Development and Planning Portfolio Holder for Ipswich Borough Council said:

"The focus on the Waterfront during the Maritime Festival gives the whole town a great opportunity to show what we are good at and what we have to offer. This is a huge summer showcase for Ipswich – we have begun Ip-art, the biggest festival in the region, we have Suffolk's only Torch Relay celebration party and have the Maritime Festival. Then, in September, the Tour of Britain cyclists begin the race from the Waterfront. I think that's plenty of reasons to celebrate, which is great for residents, visitors and the town's economy."