This weekend the Sheffield Waterfront Festival 2019, hosted by the Canal and River Trust, will be held at Victoria Quays. This year’s festival is set to be bigger and better than before; as 2019 marks the 200th anniversary of the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal’s opening.
About the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal
The Sheffield and Tinsley Canal opened in 1819, and is just under 4 miles long. Its route runs from the Sheffield Canal Basin (aka Victoria Quays), to Tinsley where it joins onto the River Don. Originally, the opening of this transport route meant that more coal could be brought into the city, and more steel could be exported out.
On the day of its opening in February 1819, Sheffield saw the first ever boat reach the Canal Basin, a flotilla of 10 arriving from Tinsley. It was reported that 60,000 turned up to watch the event in the heart of the city, and it was even declared a public holiday.
Sheffield Waterfront Festival 2019
Fast-forward 200 years, Victoria Quays is to transformed into a festival of celebration for all this weekend; with a variety of entertainment and activities being held. There will be boat trips throughout the day, as well as canoe and even paddle board taster sessions.
Off the water there is set to be a climbing wall, street performers, circus acts and much more. As well as the range of activities, you can also enjoy live music from local artists, such as the Sheffield-based Honey Bee Blues Club.
Moving onto the evening, a community street party will be held on Exchange Street, to celebrate its revival as a creative space. The street party is hosted by Exchange Street Collective and will have live music, local food vendors, and more.
The Canal Street Art Trail
Along with the bicentenary celebrations, the Sheffield Waterfront Festival will also launch the nationwide Canal Street Art Trail.
The Canal Street Art Trail will display a series of bold and colourful commissioned artworks along the city’s waterway. The trail will include work of many Sheffield-based street artists, as well as pieces created by local community groups.
The Sheffield and Waterfront Festival is due to take place on Saturday 21st September between 10 am and 4pm, at Victoria Quays. For more, see the event information here.
