Wells Harbour Day - 2002 was hailed as a resounding success after more than 7,000 visitors poured into this picturesque quayside town. Each year 'Norfolks Annual Maritime Festival' has doubled in size as more and more exhibitors and marine attractions flock to support this waterside event.

Throughout the day shanty singers, jazz bands & musical entertainment, all with a nautical flavour, performed on the stage, even braving two severe squalls with a real feel of 'The show must go on!' The storms didn't deter the visitors for a moment, so much were they enjoying the day's fun.

Over 60 vessels both modern and traditional came into Wells Harbour to be part of the day including the 101 year old Dutch klipper 'Albatros " the Trinity house tender 'Vectis' and many other unusual craft.

Wells quayside was alive with displays by traditional boatbuilders, the RNLI Roadshow, exhibits from the Coastguards, Wells Lifeboat, National Coastal Service, the RSPB, and many traditional craftsmen.

The famous East Anglian Working Newfoundland Dogs gave a noisy rescue demonstration on the water, closely watched by the Wells Inshore Lifeboat. An art exhibition of works with a nautical theme was held in the maltings and in a large field alongside the quay was one of the biggest boat jumbles seen in Norfolk with over 70 trade stands dealing in bargain boating products and lots of boats for sale to tempt newcomers to the joys of sailing.

The nautical flavour of the day was quite literally emphasised by a seafood festival, which proved popular with hungry visitors. Marking the end of a successful day was a fine choral performance by the Wells Lifeboats Crews joined on the stage by the Castaways shanty singers and a display of floating lanterns drifting across the harbour.

Harbour Day 2002 will now be held over the weekend of the 17th & 18th of August 2002, starting with live music on the stage on Saturday evening. The main event will be in full swing from 9am on Sunday morning. Once again, entry will be free to all parts of this wonderful maritime festival.

(Harbour Day is a non-profit making family boating event which gives a platform for many maritime & wildlife charities and organisations to raise both awareness and funds and to promote both the Town and the harbour).