Richmond Maritime Festival drops anchor in Steveston for 22nd edition, August 23 and 24

Roots musicians Murfitt & Main and the jugglers of Cause & Effect Circus are among the acts in store at the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site

The Richmond Maritime Festival takes place on August 23 and 24 from 11 am to 6 pm at the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site in Steveston

THE 22ND ANNUAL Richmond Maritime Festival is sailing into Steveston on August 23 and 24, and it will feature its largest music stage to date.

Among the performers on the Port of Call Stage, located on festival grounds at the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, is Vancouver-based outfit Murfitt & Main. The four-piece band is led by guitarist Warren Murfitt and upright bassist Kate Main; both double as singer-songwriters who expertly weave roots, country, bluegrass, and swing for a traditional, homemade sound.

Other local acts on the lineup, which fittingly revolves around maritime flair, include the award-winning Collage Trad fiddlers, Celtic band the Irish Wakers, vintage vocal trio the Nautical Notes, and fiery folk-rockers the Whiskeydicks.

Elsewhere at the fest, visitors can try their hand at origami, cyanotype printmaking, and net-making, or bring their own knitting needles to contribute to a community Knitting Tree. A total of 15 food trucks will be serving up bites, from fruity shaved ice by Mango Yummy to deep-fried mac and cheese by Cheez2. And Cause & Effect Circus, the company that brought its glow-in-the-dark juggling show Luminarium to the Vancouver International Children’s Festival earlier this year, will be at the All Hands on Deck area, where Yuki Ueda and Cameron Fraser will rove as juggling fishermen.

As usual, a walk down to the docks will allow festivalgoers to check out a collection of neat heritage boats up close, such as the restored 103-year-old SS Master tugboat. And a workshop hosted by the Richmond Boat Builders will highlight the restoration that’s currently under way on the 62-year-old Crystal S, a Steveston-built gillnetter and troller-fishing vessel.

Prepare for an all-around celebratory weekend in Steveston, because this year’s Richmond Maritime Festival coincides with the Richmond Dragon Boat Festival—the latter will take place at Imperial Landing on August 23.

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Emily Lyth

Emily Lyth is a Vancouver-based writer and editor who graduated from Langara College’s Journalism program. Her decade of dance training and passion for all things food-related are the foundation of her love for telling arts, culture, and community stories.

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