The festival, now in its 6th year, will see dozens of colourful narrow boats moor in Savile Town Wharf on the Calder & Hebble Navigation, to join in the festivities alongside families and local businesses.
On Saturday families will take part in a ‘Try'athlon', with the opportunity to have a go at as many different activities as possible. Free workshops will give people of all ages the opportunity to try their hands at circus skills, angling, wildlife spotting, craft activities and many other skills. For those eager to get out onto the water, boat rides will be taking place on the town's canal.
Traditional boat festival
On Sunday the Wharf will host a traditional boat festival with stalls, boat rides and a ‘boat-pull' competition where teams will try to pull a canal boat over a measured distance in the shortest possible time. The fun competition doesn't stop there as the boats will also be judged on their appearance in the ‘Best Dressed Boat Competition'!
The event has been organised in partnership with CV Marine who manage the site, the Canal & River Trust and Groundwork Leeds as part of Dewsbury Water Linked, a Big Lottery funded project.
Jane Thomson, enterprise manager for the Canal & River Trust, said: “Dewsbury Canal Festival is a really enjoyable day out and it's always great to see people getting out and taking in the sights, sounds and smells of their local canal.
“It's a great opportunity for people living in the town to celebrate what's on their doorstep but it also attracts people from further afield and shows them what Dewsbury's all about.
“There's going to be lots for people to see and do and I hope it inspires them to embrace their canal, appreciate its significance and, most importantly, to just get out and enjoy it more often.”
