Following from the huge success of the 2016 event, Botany Bay will be hosting their canal festival once again this August bank holiday.
Thanks to Boatel Party Cruises and Ellerbeck Narrowboats, visitors to the former cotton mill in Chorley will have the chance to sail along the canal enjoying the beautiful scenery, in what promises to be a wonderful event for the whole family.
The two-day event, which will be held on Sunday August 27th and Monday August 28th, will offer very contrasting experiences with Boatel Party Cruises running cruises along the canal for all the family.
This leisurely journey will last 45 minutes and refreshments will be available on board. Tickets cost £3 per person and advance booking is not necessary - just turn up on the day to the mooring outside Botany Bay.
Ellerbeck Narrowboats will be offering 40 minute trips along the canal from Botany Bay to Johnson's Hillock Locks. This unique hands-on experience gives all members of the family the chance to have a go at sailing a canal barge (children must be supervised at all times).
The boat can accommodate up to 10 people per journey and tickets are priced at £3.50 for adults, £2.50 for children and £10 for a family of four. Just turn up on the day to the mooring outside Botany Bay to book your time slot.
The Kennet boat will also be featuring at the festival. The boat is a river class, cargo carrying Leeds & Liverpool Canal Short Boat which was built for Canal Transport Limited in 1947 by Yarwoods of Northwich.
Short boats were built specifically for the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at the maximum dimensions for traversing the whole canal. It is now a floating museum and there is no charge to board the boat for a look around.
Michelle Scott, Botany Bay's Marketing Manager, said:"The Leeds to Liverpool canal is such a huge part of our mill's heritage and following the success of our bicentenary celebrations last year, which attracted around 8,000 people over the two days, the event will now become a part our annual programme of events.
"Our Canal Fest aims to commemorate the heritage with traditional Lancashire entertainment and local dialect performances, as well as activities for all the family to enjoy together.
"We're excited about the entertainment on offer this year. It promises to be a lively, engaging event for everyone that celebrates the history of the waterways through music, dance and the arts."
Parking and entry to the event is free but Botany Bay would like to encourage visitors to walk or cycle where possible.
Also, this year there will be a free shuttle service operated by Stagecoach running up to every 15 minutes each day from Chorley Town Centre, departing at Chorley Interchange and the bus stop at Booths to provide better access to the event.
Canal Fest is a free entry event with lots of activities to keep all ages entertained, including FREE Canoeing Experiences, classic car display and Silcocks Mini Fun Fair for the thrill seekers.
Local historian and Lancashire dialect performer Sid Calderbank will once again be the front man for the event with various performances from the Lancashire Society showcasing traditional songs, dancing, fiddle and ukulele performances.
Plus, local bands and solo artistes will be providing the soundtrack to the event on the main stage. Younger Canal Fest visitors can enjoy traditional Punch and Judy shows and donkey rides too.
The event will be opened by the Mayor of Chorley, Councillor Mark Perks at 11am on Sunday August 27th.
Find out more online at www.botanybay.co.uk or keep in touch on Botany Bay's social media profiles: search for Botany Bay UK on Facebook or follow @BotanyBayUK on Twitter and @botanybay_uk on Instagram. Alternatively call Botany Bay on 01257 261220.
Botany Bay is located off junction 8 of the M61 at Chorley.