ONE of the country’s biggest shanty festivals is making a magnificent return to Harwich.

Harwich Shanty Festival will be officially opened by Nigel Spencer, deputy to the Lord Lieutenant of Essex on Friday, October 11, from 11.45am on the Ha’penny Pier.

The three-day long celebrations will carry on thorough the weekend.

Organisers are looking for stewards, with an opportunity to see the festival from the inside, and in return for helping, volunteers will receive a stewards’ wristband, which will offer free access to most events.

The beloved shanty festival is the second largest in the country and this year’s festival will feature more than 34 acts with artists travelling to Harwich from abroad.

Artists from the Netherlands, Canada, France, Poland and all over the UK will be coming to town.

Most of the entertainment, singing and dancing will take place in pubs, the festival will use 18 venues throughout the town, with many events at the Redoubt Fort.

More than 5,000 people are expected to flock to Harwich.

One of the most entertaining and original groups in British traditional music, the New Scorpion Band, will be one of the top acts this year.

Brise-Glace from Canada will be another popular performance to look forward to.

Other top attractions include Dan McKinnon from Canada, Carapata from France and North Cape from Poland.

Two new interesting events are coming to this year’s festival.

There will be a Friday night concert in St.Nicholas’ Church featuring the New Scorpion Band.

A guided tour of Beacon Hill Fortfollowed by shanties from three crews will also take place.

A 90-minute trip on board the Thames Sailing Barge “Victor” is always a highlight of the weekend.

A Shanty Train with entertainment on board and activity packs for children will be running backwards and forwards between Harwich Town and Manningtree Station.

For more, email info@harwichshantyfestival.co.uk and to book tickets visit harwichshantyfestival.co.uk