Over 100,000 people are expected to flock to Derry this week for the Foyle Maritime Festival.
The event, which runs until Sunday, July 24, has grown into a major attraction which generates millions for the local economy.
And tens of thousands have attended the first three days of the festival on Wednesday, Thursday and today, Friday, with 95% of the Derry's hotel beds booked out until Saturday night.
There is lots for people to enjoy free of charge, including live art and animation installations, virtual reality experiences, acrobats, animated performers and an array of water sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding which give participants a unique view of the city from the River Foyle.
Live music performances are taking place on the Festival Village stage along, with riverside family activities including workshops, funfair attractions, the Foyle Bubble Challenge, boat tours and street theatre.
A number of Tall Ships have also anchored in the Foyle, with some visiting Northern Ireland for the first time, as the event also coincides with the return of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to the city.
This year's festival reaches its pinnacle tonight, Friday, with an evening of music, dance and theatre culminating in the mesmerising Parade of Light on the River Foyle.
Festival and Events Manager Jacqueline Whoriskey said she is delighted to see such strong visitor numbers for the start of the festival.
She said: “There has been real anticipation in the city for this year’s festival and of course the return of the Clipper crews.
“With so much to see and do across all days, we are confident this year’s Foyle Maritime Festival can be our best ever, and it even looks as though the sun will shine for us.
“It is the perfect festival for family fun, and I would encourage everyone to make their way to the city over the next few days, you won’t be disappointed.”
A central focus of this year’s Maritime Festival is the plight of the world’s oceans and seas and there are educational elements revealing the damage which is being inflicted by mankind and the steps we can take to be more environmentally friendly.
The theme of the festival is ‘What Lies Beneath’ and it is a celebration of the beauty and splendour of our seas, oceans and waterways and the ecosystems of life they support.
Visitors are also being encouraged to pledge a commitment to being more eco-friendly in their daily lives so the festival can have a lasting positive impact on the environment.
Lowering the curtain on this year’s festival will be the Parade of Sail on Sunday, July 24, as the Clipper fleet takes to the sea to embark on the final leg of their mammoth journey and head for the finishing line in London.
Visit Derry Chief Executive Odhran Dunne said the festival is an excellent way to attract people to the city, some for the first time.
He added: “Derry is the perfect gateway to the North West with beaches, rugged coastlines and beautiful countryside to discover within the region.
“It is always pleasing when people visit the city for the first time and then discover there is so much more to this part of the world than they thought. It is the perfect reason to keep on returning.”
For more information on the Foyle Maritime Festival visit www.foylemaritime.com or to plan your trip and more, visit www.visitderry.com.
The Foyle Maritime Festival is organised and funded by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from Tourism NI, Foyle Port, Loughs Agency and Diageo.
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