Record attendance at Hartlepool Waterfront Festival

Published Friday, 26th July 2019

The organisers of Hartlepool Waterfront Festival have thanked the 20,000 people who attended the event.

The annual event – which this year took place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July – featured a packed programme of open-air performances, immersive experiences, family-friendly activities and art installations.

The theme of this year’s festival – which is organised by Hartlepool Borough Council – was ‘Harbour of Refuge’ which historically was the name given to a safe haven for ships seeking free shelter from stormy seas.

Hartlepool’s very own Michael Rice – fresh from his Eurovision Song Contest adventure in Israel where he represented the UK – brought the first day of the festival to a close.

25ft-high puppet Bran the Blessed – produced by Wales-based theatre company Small World Theatre – rounded off the festival in spectacular style.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher – Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Regeneration Services Committee – said: “Thank you to everyone who attended the 2019 Hartlepool Waterfront Festival and thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make it such a huge success.

“We were absolutely delighted so many residents and visitors enjoyed another unforgettable weekend of fun.

“We think artists engaged with around 4,000 children and young people over the course of the weekend which is just fantastic.

“We really hope we’ll see everyone enjoying themselves again at the festival in 2020.”