Crick Boat Show facts for kids
The Crick Boat Show & Waterways Festival is a big event held every year in Crick Marina, Northamptonshire, England. It started in 2000 and is a popular gathering for people who love boats and canals.
Where the Fun Happens
This exciting show takes place each year at Crick Marina, right on the Grand Union Canal. It's located on a special part of the canal between the Watford and Foxton lock flights. The marina is easy to get to, being close to junction 18 on the M1. The show usually happens on the last bank holiday weekend in May.
What You Can Do There
The Crick Boat Show first started in 2000. It was organized by British Waterways back then. Since 2011, Waterways World Magazine has organized it, working with the Canal & River Trust and Crick Marina.
This event is a major highlight for anyone interested in inland boating. Boat builders and sellers come to show off new and used boats. If you're thinking about buying a boat, this is a great place to see many different kinds! You can also find almost every product and service for canal boats here. This includes everything from boat equipment to help with buying and insuring a boat.
There are also free talks held throughout the show. These talks cover useful topics like how to look after a boat, what it's like to live on a boat, and how to buy a boat without spending too much money.
You can even enjoy free boat trips along the Grand Union Canal! Just remember to book your spot when you arrive at the show. If you want to learn how to steer a boat, there are also boat-handling courses available for an extra fee.
The event is also a fun 'Waterways Festival'. You'll find continuous live music playing, along with many food and crafts stalls. There are also lots of activities just for kids! Famous musicians like Toyah Wilcox and Tom Robinson have performed here. You might also see popular tribute bands. In 2017, over 27,000 people visited the show. They saw about 40 boats on display and nearly 200 different exhibitors.
Favourite Boat Award
A special part of the show is the 'Favourite Boat in Show' award. Visitors get to vote for their most liked narrowboat and widebeam boat. The winners are announced on the last day of the show.
In 2019, the narrowboat that won was Two Hoots by Boating Leisure Services. The widebeam winner was Brigantine by Finesse Boats.
Here are some past winners:
- 2018:
- Narrowboat: Braidbar Boats Elizabeth Ann (a 66ft 6in traditional hybrid boat)
- Widebeam: Burscough Boats What's The Hurry
- 2017:
- Narrowboat: Bourne Boat Builders Threpence Ha’Penny
- Widebeam: Elton Moss Boatbuilders Kingsley
- 2016: Boating Leisure Services Silver Melody (a 58ft semi-trad narrowboat with a bright inside)
- 2015: Boating Leisure Services Columbus (a 60ft Josher tug-style traditional narrowboat with an oak inside)
- 2014: Boating Leisure Services Shackleton (a 58ft semi-trad narrowboat with a traditional outside and modern inside)
- 2013: Navigations Narrowboats Emily (a 58ft tug-style narrowboat)
- 2012: MGM Boats Snail’s Pace (a 58ft custom-built narrowboat)
- 2011: William Piper Narrowboats Barolo (a 59ft semi-trad narrowboat)
- 2007: Braidbar Boats Braidbar 100
- 2000: Braidbar Boats Rhiannon
