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Bristol Harbour Festival back after Covid break

Plaster Communications Joe Sims and Jayde Adams with Hannover crewPlaster Communications
Comedian Jayde Adams and actor Joe Sims met the Hannover, which had sailed over from Germany

Tens of thousands of people have descended on Bristol to celebrate the city's Harbour Festival.

The event, which marks Bristol's maritime history, was cancelled for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the festival runs from 15 to 17 July and includes water activities, live music, and theatre and circus performances.

But with temperatures set to rise over the weekend, organisers have issued warnings to festival-goers.

Families sittingwatching a performance
Nine performance areas fill one and a half miles of the city

Water stations are installed across the site and attendees are advised to take their own refillable bottle to help them stay hydrated.

Organisers are also warning people not to enter open water in the heat "under any circumstances", and take shade where they can.

Flyboarder James Prestwood
Flyboarder James Prestwood said "it's a great feeling" to perform in front of the crowd

More than 200,000 people attend Bristol Harbour Festival each year, enjoying vessels and water sports, along with food markets.

Plaster Communications Hannover boatPlaster Communications
A traditional, open wooden boat has sailed from Germany to attend

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the twinning of Bristol and Hannover, which was signed after WW2 in a spirit of reconciliation, friendship and the desire to build a stronger Europe.

To celebrate, a traditional, open wooden boat sailed from Germany to attend the event, carrying a barrel of Hannover gin.

Carboard boat races
Some daring competitors tried not to sink in the cardboard boat race

Festival director Ben Hardy said there was "a real family of people" making the event happen.

He said it was "great to welcome everyone back into the harbour and the delights of the Harbour Festival".

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