Details of activities and entertainment to be held as part of this year’s Maritime Ipswich Festival have been announced.

The annual festival which is organised by Ipswich Borough Council runs over August 15-16 along Ipswich Waterfront, and regularly attracts thousands of visitors.

This year’s event, which is based on the theme of the ‘Port at war’ includes art exhibitions on Ipswich during war, the Maritime Dance Day on Saturday which features traditional morris and hip-hop dancing and live music.

The ‘Sae Wylfing’ 46ft replica Saxon ship will also be on display and open to visitors, with Saxon artefacts and outfits also on display.

The family friendly weekend will also feature the return of children’s fairground rides and re-enactments, including soldiers in authentic period-dress on parade, street stalls and the firework finale.

Des Pawson, vice-chairman of the Ipswich Maritime Trust which is one of the partners of the festival, said: “The fact that Ipswich has been a port for over 1,000 years is something that is well worth celebrating, and the dock is the centre of that.”

The festival has also been cited as an important part of the regeneration of the Waterfront area of Ipswich.

Mr Pawson added: “The Ipswich Maritime Trust started in 1982 with that very vision, that the dock could be so much more, and it heartens us to see just where we have come in the last 33 years.”

As well as Ipswich Maritime Trust, the borough council also works alongside UCS, Ipswich Central, Associated British Ports, the Old Gaffers Association and Ipswich Waterfront Action.

Bryony Rudkin, borough council culture and leisure portfolio holder, said: “This maritime weekend has something for everyone, with historic vessels, re-enactments, quayside markets and entertainment, and some fabulous food.

“The Waterfront will be a focus not only for the town but also visitors from across the county.”