SOUTHEND's first Maritime Festival takes place this weekend and we've lined up a few of the things you can expect from the two-day event. 

The Echo-backed festival promises to be a weekend of free nautical but nice activities, promotions and events for all the family. 

1. X Factor and I’m A Celebrity star Jake Quickenden will be headlining at the Maritime Festival. He's singing at 3pm on the at the main stage on Jubilee Beach and then meeting fans at Adventure Island from 4pm. 

You can hear what X Factor's Jake Quickenden told the Echo when he spoke ahead of his performance at the festival here 

2. One of the Dunkirk little ships, and a proud piece of Old Leigh heritage, The Endeavour will also be at the festival.

Since 2001 lots of time and effort has gone into lovingly restoring The Endeavour for community and educational use.

Most of the time she can be seen berthed adjacent to Billet Wharf in Leigh Creek, acting as a fitting memorial to generations of Leigh fishermen and, in particular, those who perished at Dunkirk.

On Maritime Festival weekend she will be moored east of The Prince of Wales Jetty on both days.  

The Endeavour is the oldest surviving example of a Leigh-on-Sea cockle boat.

3. Get your dancing shoes on and prepare to swing and jive your funky stuff!

There is going to be a Tea Dance both days of the Maritime Festival in the Bowling alley area of the Pier.

Come along and see Strictly Smartz and Jive Swing in action - there's going to be choreographed displays, audience participation, and taster sessions.

4. Put your baking skills to the test with the "Bake Off" held on Sunday. 

Southend Maritime Festival has joined up with Waitrose to invite people to bake cake or bread with a maritime theme. 

The competition will be held on Sunday from 12.30pm. Bakers are being invited to bring their creations to Southend Pier in readiness for the judging to begin at 2pm.

5. Southend's own Fishwives Choir will be performing on Sunday at the festival. 

You can read more about the Fishwives Choir here. 

6. Mark Andreson is going to be working his sand sculpting magic on Southend seafront during the festival.

7. Local artists will show off their talents with "Art on the Railings" throughout the weekend. 

8. There's going to be an opportunity to find out all about the nautical history of Southend through the festival.

There will be a mini exhibition of Southend history via nautical pictures at the Royal Pavilion throughout the weekend, plus Clare Hunt- the curator of The Beecroft Art Gallery - will be holding talks.

9. You will be able to catch The Lower Thames Rowing Club on both days at the Maritime Festival as they will put on rowing displays from Jubilee Beach

10. The Vagrants Crew will be performing on both days of the Maritime Festival.

First formed circa 1983 the Crew have undergone many changes in their "colourful" and varied career, performing at venues and festivals, across Europe and Ireland.

You can find out more at www.southendmaritimefestival.co.uk, on Facebook at ‘Southend Maritime Festival' or on Twitter #MaritimeFestival #Southend