A MONTH-LONG maritime festival is set to go ahead in Poole this year, despite the council slashing its budget for the event to £19,000.

An outline programme for the festival has now been drawn up and features a business event at the beginning of June, followed by the Poole Harbour Boat Show, a Harry Paye charity fun day, and a rowing regatta. There is also set to be a weekend of free watersports activities.

The Taste of the South food festival, which was a new event for 2017, is not due to take place again in Poole this year.

Last year’s Poole Maritime Festival, which incorporated the UK’s first European Maritime Day, cost the council £225,000 to deliver. Events organised by third parties, such as the boat show, were tendered on a fully commercial basis.

However, financial constraints have meant the borough is allocating just £19,000 to this year’s event from the remaining reserves from 2017.

The four-day business event will be the only council-organised activity this year, and sponsors or commercial partners will be sought so it can be “self-financing”.

Poole Harbour Boat Show, organised by Poole Harbour Commissioners, will take place from June 8-10.

The event was the main element of last year’s festival and attracted around 35,000 visitors over three days, with 100 boats, tall ships, firework displays, live music and theatre.

The Harry Paye charity fun day on June 16, organised by Pirates of Poole, will include a pirate parade, fancy dress, and a competition judged by the mayor.

The Poole Town Rowing Regatta, which is set to take place on Saturday, June 30, will feature an 1,800 metre course off Hamworthy Park.

Borough of Poole strategic director Kate Ryan said this year’s maritime festival would build on the “successful business programme and Poole Harbour Boat Show through a variety of events already organised or adapted around a Poole maritime theme”.

“Within limited resources the borough will be focusing on the delivery of the business programme to maximise the economic opportunities and build on the interest of partners from 2017. It will also be liaising with third party event organisers who will be delivering their events under the banner of the festival to ensure we maximise awareness of the events and continue to promote the Borough’s marine and maritime heritage and future,” she said.

Her report will be discussed at the next Place and Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on February 27.