Showcasing nearly 300 exhibitors from across the canal world, the annual event is organised by Waterways World in partnership with the Trust and Crick Marina, and is expected to attract over 26,000 visitors.
This year, the 20th Crick Boat Show, an extra Trade & Preview Day is to be held on Friday 24 May, in association with LeeSan.
Here are our top nine tips:
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Take a boat trip – visitors to Crick can take a free boat trip along the Grand Union Canal aboard canal boats run by volunteers from the LNBP Community Boating. The half-hour trips run every 10 minutes from 10.10am each day of the show. Visitors can book their free trip at the trip boats marquee on the quayside when they arrive at the show.
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Try painting Roses & Castles – children aged 16 and under can visit the show for free Saturday 25, Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May, and take part in a variety of special activities, including traditional Roses & Castles painting and finding out about the wildlife that lives on our waterways.
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Climb aboard the latest luxury boats – today's canal boats are equipped with all mod cons, and over 40 boats will be on display at Crick, showcasing all the latest lifestyle extras, space-saving ideas and technological developments - from king-sized beds, baths and drinks fridges, to LED lighting, underfloor heating and solar panels.
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Listen to live music – 15 live bands will be performing throughout the Show in the Wheatsheaf Bar Marquee, with ‘Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young' headlining on the Saturday evening (25 May), and Dolly Parton tribute act ‘Dolly and Moonshine Runners' performing on the Sunday night (26 May). Evening entertainment, which is included in the price of the same day ticket to the show, runs from 7.30pm to 11.30pm on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May.
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Go for some retail therapy – with close to 300 exhibitors from across the canal world, as well as dozens of new boats to look round, Crick offers shoppers the very latest in boating products and services, as well as crafts, gifts, clothing, jewellery, hats, hand bags, plus gourmet food and drink.
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Step back in time – historic boats at the show offer visitors the chance to see how the working boat families lived when canals were the transport arteries of the Industrial Revolution. Historic boats attending the Show include ‘Raymond', the last wooden working boat to be built in the UK, and ‘Sculptor' who carried goods from London to the Midlands.
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Enjoy exclusive access on Preview Day – for the first time visitors to Crick Boat Show have the opportunity to book a boat tour online in advance if attending the new trade and preview day on Friday 24 May. Tickets are priced at £18 each, are only available in advance and the availability is limited to 1,000 tickets. The exclusive online boat booking system will open in April 2019 and Preview Day visitors will receive a gift bag and hot drink.
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Get expert advice on boating – the Show's free seminar programme will feature advice from Waterways World's Technical Editor Mark Langley on buying a new or used boat, selling a boat, and general boat maintenance. And boat handling lessons with a qualified boat trainer are available to book in advance via crickboatshow.com.
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Vote for your favourite boat – visitors to the show can vote for their favourite boat and the result wil be announced mid-afternoon on Monday 27 May. Everyone who votes is entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Marks & Spencer voucher and Waterways World subscription. The winning exhibitor receives a trophy and a bottle of champagne.
Book your tickets
For Saturday 25, Sunday 26 and Monday 27:
- Adult tickets are £16 on the gate
- £13.60 for adults if purchased in advance
- Entry for children aged 16 and under is free each day except Preview Day (Friday 24 May)
- Senior citizens and concessions are £14.50 on the gate, £12.30 in advance
Three-day adult tickets are £32.00 on the gate, £27.20 in advance. Three-day senior citizen or concession tickets are £29.00 on the gate, £24.70 in advance.
Tickets will be sent out in May and delivery is free of charge. Advance tickets can be ordered by phone until 4.00pm on Friday 17 May 2019 and online until midnight on Sunday 19 May.
Camping pitch prices start at £35.00 for one night for a 6m x 6m pitch for a tent and car. Mooring costs start at £1.50 per foot.
For more information and to book tickets, camping pitches and moorings, visit www.crickboatshow.com or call 01283 742970, Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.
