IWA National Festival facts for kids

The IWA National Festival & Boat Show is a really cool yearly event in the United Kingdom. It's organized by the Inland Waterways Association (IWA). Most people just call it the "National." It's a big get-together for everyone who loves boats and canals!

What is the IWA National Festival & Boat Show?

This exciting festival does a few important things:

• It helps the IWA tell more people about the UK's beautiful canals and rivers.
• It raises money to help protect and improve our waterways.
• It's a fun way for boaters from all over the country to meet up.
• It's a chance to speak up for the waterways and their future.

Sometimes, the part about speaking up (campaigning) is done separately. This is often done with a special "Campaign Cruise" each year.

How the Festival Brings People Together

The "National" is super important because it brings together people who all love the waterways. They might not meet up in big groups anywhere else! For example, two important groups were started because of chats at the festival. These are the Waterway Recovery Group and the National Association of Boat Owners.

Where Has the IWA National Festival Been Held?

The festival has been held in many different places over the years. The table below shows some of the past locations. It also shows how many boats attended and how many visitors came. The IWA's membership numbers are also included for some years.