VISITORS and organisers have praised this year’s “exceptional” St Richard’s Canal Festival.
The annual event, organised by the Worcester to Birmingham and Droitwich Canals Society, took place at Vines Park over the May Day bank holiday weekend, attracting huge crowds.
Saturday morning saw the annual Blessing the Upwich Brine Pit ceremony and procession take place.
Highlights of the festival throughout the weekend included the Pamela May 2 narrowboat operating trips from Vines Park and along the canal.
There were also model boats on display and demonstrations held on the waterway.
Live entertainment on offer included local choirs, groups and soloists on the stage in the marquee.
There was also a real ale and cider bar offering a wide selection of beers and ciders.
Adults and children were able to enjoy a range of activities throughout the festival, including a fun dog show on bank holiday Monday.
Avid shoppers were able to enjoy looking around a selection of community stalls and the annual Great Droitwich Duck Race once again proved to be one of the highlights of the weekend.
A campaign to restore the canals was initiated by the late Max Sinclair in the late 1960s and the Droitwich Canal Trust was formed soon after.
In 2001, as part of a trust fundraising campaign, annual summer water festivals in Vines Park were arranged on the already-restored canal in Vines Park.
That event was later extended to become the St Richard’s festival.
A spokesperson for the trust said: “We do hope everyone enjoyed the festival this year. The weather did stay kind to us.
“Thank you to all our visitors for coming along.
“It’s always a special annual event.
“We might even be persuaded to do it all again in 2027.”
