St Katherine Dock Classic Boat Festival 2014

St Katherine Docks will come alive this weekend when a fleet of 45 historic and classic vessels are showcased in the central and west marinas, accompanied by a host of dockside attractions. Due to the popularity of the annual event, St Katherine Docks Classic Boat Festival 2014 is welcoming the return of many vessels from last year’s Festival, as well as over a dozen new participants bringing a fantastic collection of boats.

This year’s event has expanded into the west marina and highlights include:

• UP Projects’ ‘Floating Cinema’ barge, showcasing arts from 10th – 14th September 2014. Tickets for the Floating Cinema screenings are free and limited but must be booked in advance.
• Several Dunkirk Little Ships that took part in ‘Operation Dynamo’ in 1940
• Gloriana – The Queen’s Row Barge is on special display and there will be a limited number of private viewings
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW’s) research vessel ‘Song of the Whale’
• RYA training company Blue Lamp Afloat will be on hand throughout to provide information to visitors on training courses and will offer taster sessions aboard the Blue Lamp Afloat RIB
• First-time participants this year include an Essex Smack built in the 1860s, a yacht built for sailor Humphrey Barton, an Oyster Smack, a Danish sailing trawler, and a Fairey Huntsman 28.

Dockside activity includes sea shanty singers performing around St Katharine Docks throughout the Saturday, a jazz ensemble on Marble Quay between 12noon – 5pm on the Sunday, as well as a pop-up bar courtesy of Dickens Inn throughout the weekend. In addition to the St Katherine Dock’s wide choice of quality restaurants, there will be street food courtesy of the award-winning Good Food Market.

Tom’s Kitchen Restaurant and Deli, which recently opened at Commodity Quay overlooking the west marina at the Docks, has kindly donated a hamper for the Festival’s ‘Best Dressed Boat’ competition, with the prize-giving taking place for the participating vessels on the Sunday afternoon.

The St Katharine Docks Classic Boat Festival (13th – 14th September 2014, 11am – 6pm) is one of many events taking place along the River Thames to mark the ‘Totally Thames’ celebration, delivered by the Thames Festival Trusts. A water taxi is operating between Festival Pier and St Katharine's Pier, every hour from 11am – 6pm. Water taxi tickets are available to purchase (£2 for adults and children go free) at the Crown River Cruises Kiosk at each location.