THERE’S an ocean of fun in store as Poole’s first Seven Seas Festival drops anchor from May 19 to 21.

The free event has three days and two nights of family-friendly international food, music and culture in partnership with Poole Maritime Festival, bringing a world of seafaring sounds, tastes and traditions to Poole’s Harbourside Park.

Festival director Ben Dyas of Immense Events said: “This is a voyage of discovery – around the world in 30 hours!

“The Seven Seas Festival is open for 30 hours over the weekend to enhance and compliment Poole Maritime Festival by offering free family entertainment with great food, amazing music, loads of things to do for children and plenty of opportunities to learn something about Planet Earth as well.”

With some 30,000 visitors expected over the weekend the festival site will be divided into micro-sites, each representing one of the seven seas and programmed with the music, food and culture of that region. The Harry Rocks main stage area will host live music in the evening from iconic tribute bands.

Highlights include an ice rink in the Arctic region, blues and jazz music with smokehouse and Creole menus in the North Pacific and Zen meditation, yoga and pan-Asian cuisine in the Indian Ocean site, with representatives of global and local charities and special interest groups hosting educational talks, group activities and displays that relate to particular regions.

At the heart of the Seven Seas Festival the Poole Maritime Arena will be packed to the gunwales with performances, stands, stalls, displays and expert talks all related to Poole’s long and rich association with the sea.

With the Ikle Pirates children’s marquee and disco hosted by Mr Merlin, UK Children’s Entertainer of the Year, with guest stars Elsa from Frozen and Peppa Pig, there’s lots for little ones to do as well.

And there’s sure to be plenty of interest in the Poole Harbour BIG Wheel, a 108-feet high Ferris Wheel set up on the shoreline affording amazing views across Poole Quay, the Harbour and Brownsea Island.

“This is a celebration of everything we love about Poole and the maritime life of the area, a weekend of fun activities the whole family can enjoy together, that doesn’t finish too late but gives everyone a great day and a fun-packed night out,” adds Ben