The days when Pembroke was a major sea-trading port will be recalled in June when for five days the South Quay will witness the comings and goings of traditional sailing craft of every description. Pembroke has been chosen as one of the chief 'host ports' of SeaFair Milford Haven - a bi-annual maritime festival which this year is expected to attract well over 150 traditional sailing vessels to the Haven, from Tall Ships to tiny wooden gigs. And to ensure that there will be plenty happening on shore when the intrepid seafarers tie up alongside Pembroke's South Quay, the date of this year's ever-popular Pembroke Festival will this year coincide with SeaFair Milford Haven. "Normally we hold our event in September," explained Pembroke Festival chairman Gareth Jones. "But we wanted to change the dates to enable the schools to get involved. So with this year's Pembroke Festival now taking place alongside the visit of the SeaFair flotillas, it is perhaps no surprise to learn that the 2008 Festival will have a nautical flavour, with many of the events taking place on the South Quay." The first vessels to arrive at the Castle Pond will be the classic Bermudan-style yachts which will make their way through the barrage on Thursday, June 19. They will be followed on succeeding days by the 'sail and oar' flotilla of smaller boats and then by a fleet of traditional gaff-rigged vessels, all of which will spend the night at Pembroke. Co-ordinating the movement of the fleets will be David James, of the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society, who explained that timing the arrival and departure of the boats at Pembroke was crucial. "The barrage gate will only be open for about half- an-hour either side of high tide to allow boats in and out of the Castle Pond," he said. "If anyone oversleeps they are going to be left behind until the next high tide!" The 2008 Pembroke Festival will begin with a parade of sea monster puppets carried by local schoolchildren on the evening of Thursday, June 19, and end with a free music event on the South Quay on Sunday, June 22, culminating in a fireworks spectacular from the castle ramparts.