Boat rides, live music and international foods are all part of this year’s Angel Canal Festival on Sunday 4 September.<br><br>The festival, which is celebrating its 20th year, is a free community event that aims to promote the canal as a historic local environment and a place for everyone to enjoy.<br><br>Water events this year include canal boat rides, canoeing and even a bell-boat race. All of which can be enjoyed whilst listening to one of five different bands, including jazz and a brass quintet.<br><br>An international flavour will be provided through Ghanaian food and a variety of other cuisine while a group of Bollywood dancers will be performing.<br><br>Executive member for communities, Councillor Laura Willoughby, said: “This festival is one of the highlights in the local summer events calendar, supported by the council.<br><br>Islington’s range of festivals add to our unique sense of community and celebrate the diversity of which we are all rightly proud.<br><br>Whether you walk along its banks or boat on the water, Regent’s Canal provides an ideal setting for a family event and the organisers have built on previous years’ successes to create an even more exciting line-up.”<br><br>Festival co-organiser Beryl Windsor said that they are looking forward to the day and hoped that the event will raise community awareness of the canal.<br><br>“Many locals may never have even visited the canal. With this event we aim to draw in first time visitors to appreciate it, but also give everyone the chance to ride a boat on the canal or even participate in one of the ‘have a go’ canoeing sessions,” Beryl said.<br><br>“As always though there will be plenty of activities, food and entertainment to choose from for land lovers and boaters alike.<br><br>“On the towpath there will be about 80 stalls selling everything from canalware and crafts, books, to refreshments, bees and wild birds. These give many local and national charities the chance to raise funds.”<br><br>The festival is based around City Road Lock and Basin on the Regent’s Canal near Angel and along the towpath to Packington Park. It is held between 11am to 5pm on Sunday 4 September. Access via Vincent Terrace, Wharf Road or Noel Road, N1.<br><br>ENDS
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009