Thousands flocked to Great Yarmouth's historic South Quay over to weekend to enjoy the biggest event in the town's annual calendar – now in its 16th year.

The Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival celebrates not only the town's maritime past, but also its future, giving residents and holidaymakers a glimpse into the town's heritage.

The festival began with a civic procession on Saturday morning, which included the East Norfolk Militia and Great Yarmouth mayor Shirley Weymouth.

David Bullock, the Norwich town crier, introduced Mrs Weymouth before she went on to wish everyone an enjoyable weekend.

Over both days, the main attraction was the Gotheborg ship, which is making her first appearance at a UK maritime festival.

The Gotheborg completed her maiden voyage in 2005-07. She is a replica of the original Götheborg, which was built in 1738 at Terra Nova ship yard, in Stockholm, for the Swedish East India Company (Svenska Ostindiska Companiet), and was used for three lucrative voyages between Sweden and China.

Other vessels included the JST Lord Nelson, steam drifter Lydia Eva, RASC Fast Launch Humber, RNLI Great Yarmouth and Gorleston's Samarbeta lifeboat, HMC Protector (customs cutter) and MV Confidante (Gardline coastal survey vessel).

For those who weren't comfortable on their sea legs, there were shanty and maritime performances throughout the weekend, as well as opportunity to try barbecued herring, cooked by the crew of Hemsby Inshore Rescue Service.

David and Kathy Blackmore travelled from Caister to visit the festival. 'We've liked everything so far,' Mrs Blackmore said. 'But I especially like the smell of the herring.'

New to this year's line-up were the DJR Freestyle Jetski Display Team, comprised of British and European champions, who performed some of the most advanced water-based stunts ranging from 15ft high backflips, barrel rolls and 360 and 540 degree spins, to submarines and fountains in the river.

Aileen Mobbs, chairman of the Maritime Festival Committee, said: 'The numbers on the gates have been good, everyone is happy and we've got lots of visitors from away as well as locals.

'As always I'm in awe of the generous, decent people of Yarmouth who have a lot of goodwill.

'And I'm particularly grateful to our sponsors, many of whom are in the gas and oil industries.

'We know it's difficult for them at the moment, so their support means a lot.

'As for next year, we're always on the look-out for new and exciting things to add to the line-up; we're always looking for something different to bring every year.'

Are you organising a heritage event? Email geraldine.scott@archant.co.uk