This significant event, held between Friday 18 and Sunday 20 April, marks the start of the cruising season, where many boats will set off to other parts of the canal network following the festival.
Great stories will come to life throughout the weekend with the gathering of colourful canal boats, music and traditional canal craft by the Waterway Craft Group, children's activities by Shanty UK and the Waterway Explorers, stalls and more.
Sea Shanty
For the fourth year, Sea Shanty performers from across the country will be performing on boats and in the museum's restored buildings throughout the festival as well as in concert on Friday and Saturday nights.
John Inch, general manager at the National Waterways Museum, said: “The Easter Boat Gathering is a popular event with both canal enthusiasts and visitors. As well as the usual highlights, visitors will get the chance to see two new exhibitions - artist Rob Pointon's collection and ‘Rob's Year of the Boat' paintings and the Ellesmere Port “Then and Now” comparing photographs of how the port was in its heyday with current photographs.”
Evening talks
Evening talks arranged by the Boat Museum Society will take place on Friday and Saturday nights with a fundraising music night with Chester Folk Festival stalwarts 'Full House' on Saturday 19 April in the Tom Rolt Conference Centre.
Admission to the event is only £6.50 adults, £5.50 concessions, £4.50 Children. This includes access to the rest of the museum. There are additional charges for those wishing to attend the evening concerts. For more information please contact the museum on 0151 355 5017.
