Cavalcade ready for this week-end

WITH just two days to go, all is ready for this week-end's Inland Waterways Association's annual Canalway Cavalcade, with nearly all the participants ready to put on its colourful show.

This takes place over the May Day Bank Holiday Weekend, 29th April to 1st May, at Little Venice in the heart of London, with boaters travelling from far and wide to be part of the popular festival, Alan Tilbury reports.

Travelled 160 miles

One boater, Christine Smith, has travelled around 160 miles, working 201 locks on her boat Tickety Boo since the 8th April, starting on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to get to this important event and was was recently spotted at Bull's Bridge in sight of the Grand Union Canal's Paddington Arm so her journey is nearly over.

Visitors will be able to vote for their favourite decorated boat from the parade on Saturday afternoon and the illuminated cavalcade on Sunday evening by text. Full details of this great festival are available on the Cavalcade webpage or in the programme available at the event.

Since 1983

The Canalway Cavalcade is recognised as London's biggest, brightest and best waterways festival. This unique waterway boat gathering is organised by IWA volunteers, and has been taking place at Little Venice since 1983, with free admission.

There will be activities for all the family with a boaters’ gathering, a pageant of boats, trade shows and stalls, live music, kids’ activities, competitions, Morris Dancers, a real ale bar, and a wide variety of snacks and food.

The opening times are Saturday 29th April 10:00am to 6:00pm. Sunday 30th April 10:00am to 6:00pm and 9:00pm to 10:30pm for the procession of illuminated boats.