Around 30,000 people are expected to flock to the 19th annual Maritime Festival in Great Yarmouth this weekend.

Eastern Daily Press: Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival 2017. Sheringham Shantymen. Picture: James Bass PhotographyGreat Yarmouth Maritime Festival 2017. Sheringham Shantymen. Picture: James Bass Photography (Image: (C) JAMES BASS PHOTOGRAPHY)

The action on the South Quay will start at 10am on Saturday and will run until 5pm on Sunday.

This year there is a special focus on two centenaries - the impact on Great Yarmouth of the First World War 100 years after it ended, and the Suffragette movement.

Eastern Daily Press: George Stephenson. Picture: @AJBCGeorge Stephenson. Picture: @AJBC (Image: @AJBC_1)

Festival times:

Saturday 10am to 6pm

Eastern Daily Press: Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival 2017. Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton. Picture: James Bass PhotographyGreat Yarmouth Maritime Festival 2017. Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton. Picture: James Bass Photography (Image: (C) JAMES BASS PHOTOGRAPHY)

Sunday 10am to 5pm

Prices:

Entry is free but a donation of £2 per person is requested to help fund the event.

Car Parking:

Visitors can park at a variety car parks in the town centre including;

North Drive car park

St. Nicholas car park

Fullers car park

Palmers car park

Attractions:

Ships and Boats:

This years ships include;

George Stephenson - A new steam ship built using recycled or salvaged materials.

Triton - The world’s largest motor-powered trimaran research vessel from Gardline.

MTB 102 – A historic motor torpedo boat.

AMS 60 Bernisse – A 1953 Belgian minesweeper, originally called Spa.

Lydia Eva - The herring drifter now a floating museum featuring local fishing heritage.

MV Tritton - A trimaran vessel and former prototype British warship demonstrator for the UK’s Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.

RNLI, Great Yarmouth & Gorleston - Celebrating nearly 200 years as a lifeboat station, Great Yarmouth & Gorleston has been presented with 58 awards for outstanding rescues.

Laura Moncur lifeboat - The recently restored Watson 10 lifeboat worked as the RNLI Buckie lifeboat from 1960 to 1984 then served as a relief boat until 1998, saving 47 lives.

Music:

Musicians will be performing on the main stage, at the Fo’c’sle acoustic performance area and in Horatio’s Bar all weekend long. This includes;

The Rogues Shanty Buoys - A Lowestoft band who sing sea shanties and arias about the sea.

Sheringham Shantymem - This popular group consists of both serving and former lifeboatmen who have developed their own unique style of performing.

The Sea Band - A rip-roaring new combination of well established traditional singers and musicians.

Mollyhawks - Great Yarmouth shanty duo Sue and John Griffiths perform an acapella harmony to old and new shanties.

Norwich Samba Band - For almost 20 years they have been thrilling crowds at carnivals, festivals and shows with their infectious blend of music, dance and colour.

Other entertainment:

Horatio Herring and Mrs H - Arrived in Great Yarmouth in an unmarked fishing trawler in 2003 and offered his services as the mascot of the

Maritime Festival.

Admiral Lord Nelson and Lady Emma - Meet Admiral Lord Nelson, the greatest naval hero and his good Lady Emma.

Free activities and exhibitions:

The RSPB - They will be promoting their ‘Giving Nature a Home’ campaign and keeping children busy with some craft activities.

Punch and Judy - Enjoy the puppet wizardry in the traditional and timeless children’s theatre.

Children’s craft marquee - Join in and make your own ocean life creative colouring decoration of a turtle, dolphin or lobster.