Continental Market buzzing

The Derry-Londonderry-Doire clipper is now on its way to the Netherlands.

Thousands of spectators are expected to attend what promises to be a spectacular finale to the LegenDerry Maritime Festival this weekend.

The Festival has been hailed as a roaring success and the city is set to be packed for the last few days of the nine-day summer sensation.

The Mayor, Councillor Brenda Stevenson, said the festival had been an unforgettable experience and paid tribute to all involved. Urging everyone to come down to the Quay she said was looking forward to the public giving the crews a legenderry send-off.

“It’s been a magical week so far. This festival has been hugely successful, attracting thousands of people to the Quay to visit the boats, take part in water activities and family events in the various marquees and sampling some of the fantastic foods on offer. I am really looking forward to the weekend to give the Clipper Race crews a legenderry send off as they depart from the Quay on Sunday morning on the next stage of their journey.”

Among the highlights for the weekend are the Oban on the Foyle Japanese Lantern Festival which will see floating lanterns on the Foyle from around 9.00 am on Friday evening and a Moonlit parade organised by the Foyle Paddlers and Canoe club at the Foyle Marina.

On Saturday evening, the fun will continue with a fantastic array of family fun at the Pirates Party which takes place from 6pm along the Quay. Dress up and join in the maritime fun with all your favourite pirate gear before an amazing pyrotechnics display on the River Foyle closes the evening’s celebrations at 10pm.

A fiery battle between two ghostly pirate ships will be accompanied by a dramatic acquatic fireworks finale.

A triumphant skipper Sean McCarter lights a flare in celebration as the Clipper yacht, Derry-Londonderry-Doire which won the New York to Derry leg of the round the World Yacht Race arrives home on the River Foyle. Picture Martin McKeown. Clipperrace.com

Huge crowds are expected so spectators are urged to use the Park and Stride facilities, including disabled access, at Fort George.

On Sunday morning it will be time to bid an emotional farewell to the Clipper Race fleet as it prepares to leave the Foyle Marina.

Spectators are advised to take their places on the quayside from 10am as the event build-up starts at 10.15am. The Clipper Race yachts will begin their departures from 11 am as part of the Parade of Sail. All local eyes will be on the Derry-Londonderry-Doire yacht as it prepares to leave its home port on the next stage of her legenderry journey.

The 12 yachts are expected to arrive in Greencastle, Co. Donegal from 2pm where they will await the race start. The famous Red Arrows will stage an aerial acrobatics display at 2.45pm to mark the start of Race 15 – The OneDLL Cup – to Den Helder in the Netherlands.

A traffic management plan will be in operation in Greencastle with park and ride facilities available for spectators. There will also be vantage points from Downhill to Benone Strand at Magilligan (parking is permitted on Benone beach but motorists are urged to exercise care as it is expected to be very busy).

Get regular updates at www.legenderrymaritimefestival.com or on facebook at www.facebook.com/DerryLondonderryClipper

A full programme of activities along the quayside and on the water as well as the Continental and Walled City Markets, continues until the Festival closes up shop on Sunday at 6pm.

The LegenDerry Maritime Festival is organised by Derry City Council with funding support from NITB and Diageo and delivery support from Foyle Port, the Loughs Agency, Visit Derry and Ilex.