IT'S the weekend again and we've put together a few things to keep you busy. 

1. BOAT races, historic shipwreck artefacts and end-of-the-pier entertainment will captivate crowds Leigh maritime festival.

Thousands of people are expected to descend on Old Leigh for the second Leigh Maritime Festival on Sunday.

The festival, which celebrates the old town’s seafaring heritage, will include fun for all the family.

The Lower Thames Rowing Club’s annual pier race will set off from Bell Wharf at 2pm.

A variety of boats will complete the eight-mile race to Southend Pier and back with a sprint finished expected at about 3.30pm.

Deckchairs will be laid out on Victoria Wharf for traditional seaside entertainment from Southend Operatic and Dramatic Society, Outloud Productions and Ami Hawthorne.

The Yardarm Folk Orchestra and the Hoy Shanty Crew will also perform.

Artefacts from the wreck of the London, which sunk off Southend Pier in 1665, will be on show, as well as displays from local artists and groups who work to keep the estuary alive today.

Children are invited to come in maritime fancy dress for entertainment on Strand Wharf and the Rotary Club is organising a crab fishing contest.

An Italian food market will be held on the Foundry Car Park and the Peterboat and Crocked Billet pubs will host live music.

The High Street will be closed to traffic from 10am.

2. TICKETS are still available for a family fundraiser in memory of a schoolboy who was killed after being hit by a car.

Ben Dines was just six weeks into his first term at the old Chalvedon School, in Wickford Avenue, Pitsea, in 1996 when he was hit as he crossed the road on his way home.

Next month marks his 30th birthday.

His family will mark the occasion with a charity football tournament at the Selex Sports and Leisure Club, in Gardiners Way, Basildon, followed by a party and auction. All money raised from the event, taking place from midday on Saturday, August 1, will go to brain injury charity Headway. For tickets, which cost £2 per adult, or more information, email tahurley35@hotmail.com

3. AN EXTREME stunt show will feature monster trucks, motorbikes and BMX riders.

The stunt show, at Garon Park, Southend, on Sunday, August 2, will have the theme “big air” this year.

The BMX team will perform mid-air manoeuvres.

There will also be two-wheel driving, fire stunts and the destruction of vehicles.

For dull details of the show, which starts at 7.30pm, call 08444 771000 or email info@extremeeventseurope.com.

4. A Farmers Market offering wide range of local produce will be held in Rochford this Saturday. WI Hall, West Street, Rochford, will host the event from 9.30am until midday.

5. Estuary Fringe Festival 2015 kicks off this Saturday. The free event, which runs from Saturday, August 1 to Sunday, August 9, is held at a range of venues across Southend.

Programme of Events: Sat 1st - 12am to 12pm @ O'Neill's Pub, Luker Road Southend..'Is the Guitar Dead'?

Sun 2nd - 10am to 4pm @ One Love Centre, Wallis Ave, Southend... 'Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory'

Sun 2nd - 5pm to 9pm @ O'Neill's, Luker Road, Southend...'Talking Beds' by Susan Thomas

Mon 3rd to Sun 9th - 11am to 6pm @ Victoria Shopping Centre... Estuary Fringe Gallery

Tue 4th - 5pm to 10pm @ One Love Centre, Wallis Ave, Southend... Art BBQ

Wed 5th - 6pm to 9:30pm @ Victoria Shopping Centre... Estuary Fringe Gallery Evening Viewing

Thur 6th - 7pm to 11pm @ O'Neill's, Luker Road, Southend... Dangerous Poetry XI

Sat 8th to Sun 9th @ Market Street/The Basement, Southend... Graffiti-on-Sea

Sat 8th 8pm to 2am @ The Basement, Alexandra Street, Southend... Lionheart Sound System

Sun 9th 8pm to 2am @ The Basement, Alexandra Street, Southend... Studio One Sound

6. A127’s giant boot sale will be held this Sunday in Basildon. Open from 6am, the sale is open every Sunday and bank holiday Monday. Cars cost £8 and transit type vans cost £10.

7. AMNESTY Southend is holding a sponsored walk on Sunday in Southend. Walkers will leave the Coastguard station to the south of Gunners Park in Shoebury at 2pm and walk to Leigh. To sponsor the group, email amnestysouthend@googlemail.com.

8. ST Clement’s Church in Leigh is holding an hour of forties songs followed by afternoon tea on Sunday. People can attend from 2.30pm until 4pm and tickets cost £8. Please ring 01702 347369 to book. All profits to the Church restoration fund.

9. A SUNDAY night music quiz will be held at the Anchor in Benfleet from 9pm. It contains various questions from the good old days up to this weeks charts, plus pictures and other rounds so you do not only have to know the songs. It costs £1 per person.

10. CHELMSFORD and District Fuschia Society is holding an event this weekend. From 10am until 5pm both days, there will be hundreds of flowers on display. There will be Craft Stalls, a Tombola, Raffle and plants for sale at St John Payne School in Patching Hall Lane. For more information call 01245 281962. Admission costs £1.50.