Waterfront celebration draws in crowds again

DIGGING DEEP: Competitors push on towards the finish line. Picture by Tony Johnson.

Taking over a five mile stretch from Armley Mills Museum to Leeds Dock, the ninth Leeds Waterfront Festival had promised to be the biggest and best yet.

One of the main attractions on Saturday was Leeds Dock’s annual dragon boat race, which this year raised funds for the Yorkshire-based national charity Heart Research UK.

Companies fielding teams in the popular event included Sky, Primal Gym, Blacks Solicitors and Revolution Viewing.

Bars and restaurants came together to hold the Brewery Wharf Block Party which included live music, DJs and karaoke, while The Tetley hosted performances, hands-on workshops and artist talks.

Creativity was at the heart of many of the activities on offer at the various venues, with live street art, junk boat building and graffiti masterclasses.

But the theme of this year’s festival was heritage as the city marks the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The important role that the waterways have played in Leeds’ development was celebrated by interactive installations, narrated riverside walks and plays under the banner of ‘A River Runs Through It’.

The festival also saw 15 street food traders going head to head in the Scotland and northern heats of the British Street Food Awards. The winner will go on to the final in September.