Out and about

IWA National Festival and Boat Show, The River Great Ouse, Hemingford Meadow, St Ives - 25th to 27th August, 2007

Got a boat? Wish you had a boat? Want to look at people who DO have one? Well, the River Great Ouse at St Ives is the place to ogle some of the finest vessels cruising the country's inland waterways as this national festival descends on St Ives.

Mopping their brows and thanking the god of all things watery that we didn't get floods here, the organisers are expecting hundreds of boaters to wend their way up river, and down, to this year's venue - the Great Ouse at St Ives.

On the river, you'll be able to celebrate all things boaty with your fellow boaty pals, or peruse the floating pontoon of exhibitors - no doubt with a mainly boaty theme.

Land ahoy!

For land lubbers, get a bird's eye view of the event from the town bridge or take to Hemingford Meadow (just over the bridge) and check things out on dry land (hopefully!).

If you want to spend your pennies, there are plenty of handmade crafts, jewellery, wooden toys, antiques and... boats. Lots of boats. More boats than you can shake a paddle at - not to mention stuff for your boat. Every conceivable thing you could ever want for your boat and loads of things you didn't even realise you needed!

And talking of spending pennies, make sure you don't miss the environmentally-friendly portable toilet stand - a must on a busy bank holiday!

And if all that water makes you thirsty - there's a real ale bar and plenty of food to fill your hungry tummies.

Ever since I saw Jaws...

If you're really scared of the water, fear not, because there's a fun-packed programme of activities for all ages including circus skills, a wild west show, archery, falconry, jazz, dancing, and way too much more to list here. Look at the festival website for all the details.

Night, night

On the Sunday evening, one of the festival's highlights - a parade of illuminated boats - takes to the River. Watch it from the bridge and get that warm, fuzzy feeling - it's like Christmas. But in August. And on water.

Sinking - or just pitching?

To Book a camping pitch or a waterspace, please contact the bookings officer (Pat Barton) on 07947 337491.

Tickets for the event are priced at: adults: £8.50, concessions (students & over 65s): £6.50, children under 16 and carers: free