Welcome

The countdown is on for the 20th Etruria Canals Festival to be held on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June.

This year’s festival will continue the traditions of the annual community event which is one of the largest free events in Stoke-on-Trent, regularly attracting thousands of visitors to the junction of the Trent and Mersey and Caldon canals in the middle of Etruria. Now in its twentieth year, the festival follows on from last year’s special Royal Jubilee event which saw the pageant of the Jubilee come to Stoke-on-Trent.

Taking place over the first weekend in June, the free festival will bring the canals of Stoke-on-Trent alive with a historic boat parade along the Trent and Mersey canal from Etruria towards Burslem. For the first time, this year’s event will include a Real Ale Festival, conducted by The Holy Inadequate, Stoke’s Pub of the Year.

Music and dance will complement colourful historic canal boats moored along the towpaths of Etruria. Lots of activities for children and adults will be on site and a good time is guaranteed for all.

Vintage cars, boat trips and the popular greyhounds from Greyhound Gap will be on site, alongside special displays from Foxfield Railway and the Middleport Pottery. The historic narrowboat Lindsay, based at Etruria and a recent star on BBC television, will be resplendent after her recent refit at the boatyard in Stone.

Princess, the historic beam engine in Jesse Shirley’s Bone and Flint Mill will be ‘in steam’ and other attractions are in planning.
Once again, the canals festival will be organised and run by volunteers from the Etruria Boat Group and the IWA North Staffs and South Cheshire Branch.

The 2013 Etruria Canals Festival will be on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June, 10.00am to 5.00pm on both days.
For more information call Andrew Watts on 07886578902 or email event@etruriacanalsfestival.org.uk.