Easter magic at Mercia

EASTER at Mercia Marina will see lots of fun for the children, including bubble magic.

The Trent & Mersey Canal marina will be offering Easter themed fun for all the family including the popular bubble magic and face painters over the weekend of the 19th and 20th of April.

Easter eggs

As part of the the marina’s 10th anniversary celebrations, the marina will be decorated with 14 inch tall Easter eggs painted by members of a local community art group, with a decorated giant egg placed in each shop window and children will be encouraged to find all 10 and vote for their winner to be in with a chance of winning a family boat trip and Easter treats.

There will also be an Easter wishing tree in the bandstand to complete the Easter egg trail where they can cast a wish with a penny in the well.

Next event

Food from around the world will be the theme for the next event in June when the marina will host a Street Food Social event on the 15th . As well as delicious food on offer there will be a range of beers, gins and prosecco.

Just a few days later, on the 21st and 22nd Jun , there will be a Summer Solstice event and in the autumn there will be a combined fireworks and Halloween event on the 26th and 27th October.

This will see the ‘boating dead’ being raised with day and night entertainment with street performers, a Food for
Fawkes market, a colourful carnival atmosphere and family friendly silent fireworks.

As part of the changes to the events calendar, the popular Makers Markets will no longer be continuing at the marina but will find a new home at other South Derbyshire venues.

Major tourist attraction

Tony Preston, Sales and Marketing Manager at the marina, explained:

“The marina is already a major tourist attraction and these fantastic events will help us to attract even more visitors which we have made provision for with the new overflow car park. The focus is on quality, fun, and adding more value to visitor’s experience. The events are suitable for all the family and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the marina to enjoy the themed activities as well as the varied range of excellent shops and eateries.

"The new overflow car park is on the canal side of Findern Lane in Willington and will cater for staff who work at businesses based at the marina during the week, freeing up 150 spaces near the shops, restaurants and cafes, but at weekends it will be open for visitors to use as an overflow car park."