Extra sailings on Red Funnel for Isle of Wight Festival (and a mini festival at terminals)

Red Funnel has been gearing up to transport thousands of festivalgoers to the Isle of Wight this weekend.

The team has been working hard to ensure that the festival experience starts from the moment travellers arrive at the terminal with a mini festival village at each Southampton terminal and music in Southampton and Isle of Wight terminals on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th June.

Starting the party early
This year, the cross-Solent ferry company has been getting revellers in the festival spirit with DJs in both Southampton terminals, a body artist and hair braider. Food and drink stalls including the likes of Mermaid Gin, Dorset Food Co and Siren Craft Beer Bar have been offering a taste of the best local food and drink.

In both Southampton and Isle of Wight terminals, festival goers will be welcomed with music and festival-themed decor, including displays of art and sculptures created by local Isle of Wight and Southampton schools.

12 additional sailings
To support the increased demand over the festival period, Red Funnel has added 12 additional sailings to their timetable. Every year, office-based team members are also redeployed in and around the terminals.

This year is no exception with extra colleagues on hand to assist in directing traffic and passengers as they arrive and depart.

Collins: Proud to be the opening and closing act of the festival
Fran Collins, CEO at Red Funnel, said,

“We are proud to be the opening and closing act of the Isle of Wight festival for thousands of travellers each year, and as such we have lots of experience managing such a huge operation.
“With 12 extra sailings and more colleagues supporting on the ground, we are prepared for what will be one of our busiest weekends of the year.”

Sirens and Sailors
In preparation for the weekend, the cross-Solent ferry company also partnered with 14 schools on the Isle of Wight and mainland to create a wonderful range or artwork and sculptures in the theme of the festival: Sirens and Sailors.

The students used a range of recycled plastics to create their masterpieces, which are now proudly on display at terminals for festival-goers to admire.

Fran continued,

“It has been fantastic involving schools from our local community in the run up to the festivities, and hope our passengers enjoy admiring the wonderful artwork that the students have created especially for the occasion.
“We look forward to welcoming all passengers to our pre-festival experience filled with music, body paint and food stalls, and wish all our travellers a safe and happy journey with Red Funnel.”

Additional sailings
Additional Isle of Wight Festival sailings:

16^th June