A look back at the Maritime Festival in Whitehaven 25 years on

The festival was originally held in the summer of 1999 and became a huge success. 

An air show on the harbour (Image: Gerard Richardson)

The events ran in some form for 18 years and were mainly focused around the harbour. 

Over the years the festivals grew in popularity and saw a whole host of activities, such as markets, live music, air displays, and fireworks shows being held in the town. 

Crowds gather at Golden Sands (Image: Gerard Richardson)

Due to the growing popularity of the Maritime by the late 2000s, many famous faces were coming along to get in on the action. 

Top musicians including Catherine Jenkins, McFly, Belinda Carlisle, Status Quo, Madness, N Dubz and The Vamps all performed in Whitehaven, amongst many others. 

Status Quo perform in Whitehaven (Image: Louis Dee)

Most of the concerts were held in the car park which overlooked the marina. 

The festivals also became known for live cooking shows with chefs like Jean-Christophe Novelli, Ainsley Harriott, Keith Floyd, Gino D' Campo, and others all performing live shows on the harbourside and in St Nicholas' Gardens in the town centre. 

Dynamo at the festival (Image: Gerard Richardson)

When the festivals were held the town would be brimming with people taking in all that the attractions had to offer. 

There was something for people of all ages with a huge fairground for children to enjoy. 

A tall ship in the harbour (Image: Gerard Richardson)

The markets were also very popular and sold a whole range of food and drinks. 

Along with fast food vendors there were stalls selling exotic meat burgers, world foods, confectionery, and much more. 

Catherine Jenkins performs (Image: Gerard Richardson)

On many occasions, there were also smaller stages often with local artists or school children performing music routines. 

A helicopter flies over the harbour (Image: Gerard Richardson)

One of the most popular aspects of the festivals was the fireworks displays, which have been restarted again by the Town Council as a feature of the Christmas Markets in December. 

A water performance in the marina (Image: Gerard Richardson)

Over the years there were also multiple air shows from the RAF and Red Arrows.