The Harwich Sea Festival – History to 2010

The Harwich Sea Festival has been a marvelous addition to the local calendar since 1988. The idea of a water borne fund-raising event for the RNLI was hatched by Mr. Mike Seaney in 1988 and the initial event consisted of a trawler race by local fisherman followed by a round of strawberries & cream and teas on the Ha’Penny Pier.

With great success the event expanded quickly to include tugs and a range of on-shore activities. In 1992 the Festival boasted over 35 trawler race entrants, with competitors arriving from all round the East Coast, an aerobatics display and for the first time the famous motorcycle jump off the pier spectacle.

The addition of classic boats, bands, maritime displays, fairground organs plus trade and charity stalls ensured that the Sea festival became a major event for the town. In the year 2000, due to the ever increasing size and complexity of the event, the Lifeboat Institution asked the Rotary Club of Harwich and Dovercourt to take the lead in organising and managing the event.

In the years 2003-2006 the Sea Festival was centred on Harwich Green but Quayside attractions continued to pull the crowds and provide a tremendous day out for families. In 2007 is was decided to refocus the Festival to The Quay and accommodate all the other attractions along the Quayside, where is has been hosted ever since.

This years event is packed with both sea based attractions and shore-side entertainment. You can expect 17/18c Pirates to raid the town from one of the vessels and be challenged by the Chatham Militia!! There will also be some great sounds on the shore with various singers, bands and concerts plus a host of fun activities to view and try both at Sea and along the Quay including Trinity Pier – See the Schedule of Events and stall holders listing in the Programme for more details.

The Harwich Sea Festival remains a major fundraising event for the The Rotary Club of Harwich and Dovercourt and the RNLI. The Rotary Club uses funds for local charities and local community projects.

Thanks for supporting the event and we wish you all a very enjoyable time.