| Fact file | The 2003 Whitehaven Maritime Festival brought £1.7 million into the local economy. 200,000 people attended the last festival The 2003 festival cost £130,000, almost double that of the first festival in 1999 |
Following the success of the festivals of 1999, 2001 and 2003 it's hoped that the 2005 festival will be bigger and better than ever. This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the festival has been designated Cumbria’s Official commemoration celebration. Up to 1,000 veterans and ex-service personnel will take part in a parade from Castle Park to the harbour side, led by members of three military bands. The Lord Lieutenant and local dignitaries will take a salute and give tribute to the veterans of WWII. A short service will take place on the harbour side and aircraft from the Royal Airforce will provide a tribute display above the harbour.
 | | RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight |
The Red Arrows in their Hawk jets and the The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane aircraft, are all to make an appearance over the weekend. Other highlights of the festival include The Zebu is making a return visit to Whitehaven. Built in Sweden in 1938, she was originally a high canvas merchantman trading in timber along the Baltic ports. During World War 2 she ran munitions and refugees in and out of occupied Poland so it’s quite fitting that we welcome a rare water bourne war veteran to Whitehaven. Also making an appearence at this year's festival is The Jeanie Johnston, one of the finest examples of a Museum replica ship and is certainly on a par with the Endeavour and The Kathleen and May. The Kathleen and May was originally launched as the Lizzie May in the late 19th Century. She carried about 250 tonnes of cargo and sailed for many years along the coast of the British Isles. Visitors to the festival can go aboard a number of the ships in the harbour and experience the conditions that sailors were expected to endure in the past. Scattered throughout the town will be street theatre performances, trade stands and our BBC Cumbria team taking photographs for a gallery. Fireworks On Saturday evening, what's billed as the 'best firework display in Whitehaven ever' takes place. Some of the fireworks involved include the massive 300mm Vittali Shells. This explosive will break high in the air over a massive 800m wide. | 
