Glasgow makes a splash with River Festival launch

The 2007 Glasgow River Festival returns on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th of July with nautical fun for all the family. The Festival is one of Glasgow’s best free events and offers visitors of all ages an opportunity to celebrate the history of the River Clyde and explore the future of Glasgow’s waterfront.

This year’s Festival programme is bigger and better than ever before and is packed full of activities on land and water. From high-speed Zapcat Grand Prix racing to street theatre; rowing to live music, there is something for everyone. The action all takes place around the Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre, The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour and the Glasgow Science Centre.

Visitors will be treated to the stunning spectacle of tall ships, powerboats, yachts, Clyde puffers and more, all congregating on the Clyde. Glasgow’s very own tall ship – the “Glenlee” can be explored, and will be joined on the River by visiting tall ships “Tenacious” and “Royalist”. Two Clyde built vessels, the lighthouse supply ship “Pole Star” and the fisheries protection vessel “Jura”, will also return to Glasgow for the event offering a fascinating insight into their work.

There will, of course, also be a strong involvement from local community projects, including the Galgael Trust, the Govanites, the sea cadets, sea scouts, Scottish Amateur Rowing Association and the maritime volunteer service.

In a spectacular finale to this year’s Festival, thousands of plastic ducks will be released into the River Clyde for the very first Glasgow Duck Race, on Sunday evening. In support of KidsCharities UK, the ducks can be ‘adopted’ for just £5 each, with the first duck past the post winning their owner a brand new car!

Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, commented: “The Glasgow River Festival is not only a fantastic day out. It also serves to highlight that the River Clyde is returning to its rightful place at the very heart of the city’s creative and entrepreneurial endeavours.

“The exciting and varied programme will bring vibrancy to the riverside that benefits tenants both old and new. From the international Financial Services District on the north bank to the new digital media quarter on the south, everyone can rejoice at life returning to the river in spectacular fashion.

“With a dramatic rise in attendance last year from 40,000 to 75,000, all that remains is for me to wish for another warm weekend when everyone can enjoy themselves and see the river at its very best.”

The Glasgow River Festival will be open from 11am to 6pm on Saturday 14th July and Sunday 15th July. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) will provide a free shuttle bus from George Square throughout the weekend to take visitors direct from the city centre to the festival site. Other SPT free shuttle services will be announced soon – please check website for details.

The Glasgow River Festival is funded by Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, the European Regional Development Fund, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, Glasgow City Council, Clyde Waterfront, and is in association with Culture and Sport Glasgow, Clydeport and the Royal Navy.

More information about the Glasgow River Festival can be found at Glasgowriverfestival.co.uk. Daily timetables, highlighting the programme of entertainment, will be available at the Festival.

Full information on what to see and do in Glasgow can be viewed at Seeglasgow.com.