Hundreds of people descend on the seaside town on the first day of the three-day sea shanty festival.
People came from as far away as Canada and the US to enjoy the non-profit event in Harwich, Essex, on Friday, festival chairman Mick Verrier said.
“We’re the Harwich International Shanty Festival and we’re doing our best to live up to the name,” he told BBC News outside the packed Alma Inn, one of the live music venues.
By the end of the weekend, more than 40 shanties will have been built in the city.
“Sea shacks are songs of the sea from the last 100 years or so and have been restored for 20 years or more as part of the revitalization of the people,” explained Mr Verrier.
This annual event started in 2006 and Mr. Verrier who has lived in this city for about 20 years said that this year is the biggest.
It is organized by a committee of 10 people who work throughout the year, supported by up to 60 volunteers, and are already planning the next event.
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