PREPARATIONS for Waterfest Weymouth are going splashingly.

Businesses are pledging support for the two-day harbour festival on September 6 and 7.

Building on the success of harbour events including the Seafood Festival, it is being organised by Weymouth Business Improvement District (BID) to celebrate the maritime history of the town.

There will be a wide variety of events and activities over the weekend, including kayaking and sailing taster sessions, an aqua jet pack demonstration, crafts, music and a chance to sample local seafood at a number of stalls.

The organiser is Roger Dalton, who also helps to run the seafood festival.

He said plans were going well for the event which will provide a ‘great mix’ of activities for the whole family.

He said: “There will be lots to do including a stage and seafood all along the harbourside.

“It’s a unique, one-off event. It will hopefully really promote the history of Weymouth as a port.”

Mr Dalton said he was excited to see how the event progresses adding: “Some tall ships are already enquiring about the venue for next year after they heard about this year’s event.”

Weymouth Sea Life Park and Dream Cottages, also based in Weymouth, are two local companies that will be sponsoring the event.

General manager at Weymouth Sea Life Park Tamsin Mutton-McKnight said: “We are delighted to be supporting Waterfest as a headline sponsor.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Weymouth’s maritime heritage and the importance of our coastline.”

Sales and marketing director for Dream Cottages Joy Sangster said: “Over the last few years events in Weymouth have gone from strength to strength.

“With the same team working on Waterfest and the acclaimed Seafood Festival we feel sure it will be a great event that grows every year.”

Joint chairman of Weymouth BID Alistair Clarke, said: “Waterfest Weymouth is a fantastic new BID event to celebrate Weymouth’s great maritime heritage.

“The Weymouth BID is here to bring more visitors to Weymouth out of the main season and events like this will really help achieve this.”

To become a sponsor and lend support, contact Weymouth BID.