Exciting line-up for Glasgow River Festival

The Glasgow River Festival returns over the Glasgow Holiday Weekend on the 19th and 20th July 2008 with a revamped and action packed programme of events and activities for all ages, on land and on water. New to this year’s festival will be a thrilling display of Jet Sport Ski racing and Glasgow’s first ever beach volleyball tournament. The festival, which takes place in and around The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour, the SECC, Glasgow Science Centre and BBC Scotland, attracted over 85,000 visitors in 2007 and this year’s event looks set to become another unmissable family weekend.

On Water
Spectators at the Glasgow River Festival will be able to enjoy sensational Jet Ski demonstrations from the Jet Sport Racing Association, which will include dramatic routines and spectacular stunts, as well as nail-biting races which are sure to thrill the crowd.

Nautical enthusiasts will be able to step on-board an impressive fleet of visiting ships including the Loth Loriën schooner, two Royal Navy Hunt class minesweepers and the Jacinta, a Fleetwood trawler, which now acts as a floating museum of deep sea fisheries. Entry onto The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour will be free of charge for the duration of the festival.

In addition, The Puffer from Inverary – “The Vital Spark of Glasgow” - returns to the festival and will be joined by the last Clyde-built Puffer - Spartan - from the Scottish Maritime Museum at Irvine.

For the more active visitor, Seaforce, the powerboat training school, will be offering short rides on a fast rib and Festival favourite the Zapcat, will once again be available for taster sessions.

For a more leisurely trip, Clyde Marine Cruises will be offering tours down the river allowing visitors a closer view of the city’s famous shipyards. Additionally, The Great Glasgow Duck Race returns this year – visitors can sponsor a plastic duck for £1, with the fastest duck winning its owner a fantastic prize. All proceeds will go to the Variety Club of Scotland.

On Land
The excitement continues on land with Glasgow’s first ever Beach Volleyball tournament – one of the Olympics’ hottest new sports. Part of the Urban Beach Tour 2008, the Scottish Masters tournament will take place on a specially created beach at the SECC, with teams battling it out in a high-energy display of sporting prowess throughout the weekend.

A host of tempting culinary delights also awaits at this year’s festival. Back by popular demand, the Crowne Plaza Glasgow will be hosting a summer barbeque by the banks of the Clyde, with rib-tickling entertainment close at hand for the little ones and a Farmer’s Market will showcase local produce from across Scotland.

BBC Scotland’s marquee will be bursting with activity, with a host of well known faces joining in the fun. Visitors will get the chance to read the news alongside Reporting Scotland presenters and try their hand at football commentating. CBBC’s Raven (James MacKenzie) and Nina (Katrina Bryan) from the popular Cbeebies Nina and the Neurons series will also be making an appearance across the weekend.

The Glasgow Science Centre provides a combination of fun and education during the festival, with crowd-pleasing science demonstrations as well as less conventional belly dancing performances and a display from rugby stars, the Glasgow Warriors. Adrenalin lovers will enjoy a dramatic abseiling demonstration from the Royal Marines, while the young-at-heart can visit a number of funfairs throughout the festival area.

Bailie Liz Cameron, Vice-Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau said:

“The Glasgow River Festival has evolved into a wonderful celebration of the River Clyde, which has been at the heart of the city’s industrial success and is now home to some of our most exciting entrepreneurial ventures.

“As part of the city’s exciting annual programme of cultural events, the festival highlights a number of exhilarating and entertaining ways to enjoy the river.

“The River Clyde is steeped in a fascinating history and is not only an important part of the past but an imperative part of the future success of Glasgow. The series of events that make up the Glasgow River Festival ensure that the riverside remains an interesting and accessible place for locals and visitors alike.”

Getting to and from the festival has never been easier with a free bus service provided by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT). The buses will transport festival goers from key locations in Glasgow City Centre to the SECC and Glasgow Science Centre, with additional buses running from Greenock, Hamilton and Kilmarnock.

The Glasgow River Festival runs from 11am until 6pm on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July 2008. For more information, visit Glasgowriverfestival.co.uk.