This in from Sue on behalf of Visit Isle of Wight (VIOW). Ed
The popular annual celebration of the Island’s nautical heritage will be highlighted by “anchor” events bringing visitors a memorable fourteen filled with shanty bands, arts & crafts exhibitions, lighthouse tours, sea safaris and, of course, delicious seafood.
Partnership
Since it began in 2013, the Festival of the Sea has welcomed thousands of visitors to the Island. Last year, VIOW joined forces with JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race organisers to create an even bigger spectator event.
This year’s race which regularly attracts over 1,700 boats and around 16,000 sailors – making it one of the largest yacht races in the world – takes place on Saturday 27th June.
“Shipwreck Isle”
A fantastic new event for 2015, “Shipwreck Isle”, in Ryde on Sunday, 28th June, will present a swashbuckling mix of piratical fun and entertainment.
Shipwreck Isle will take place at Appley Beach with a full programme of activities centred on and around the beach. Seafront events will include stunt action sword-fighting, historical re-enactments, canon and firearm demonstrations – and the “Pirates of the Caribbean Europe Group” who will be out in force with their Caribbean Village on the beach.
“Dinosaurs by the Sea”
An event of mammoth proportions, “Dinosaurs by the Sea” will also be dropping anchor on Saturday 4th July when visitors and locals alike will be invited to be part of a record-breaking attempt in forming the world’s largest human Tyrannosaurus Rex at Appley Beach.
“All at Sea” beach festival
Meanwhile, Small Hope Beach in Shanklin will be pioneering an alternative Festival of the Sea finale with the Island’s only ‘beach festival’ with a twist. The “All at Sea” beach festival on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July will have a Birdman contest, Cardboard Boat race, with more activities to be confirmed shortly.
With a packed timetable of events planned this June and July, VIOW is hoping that Festival of the Sea 2015 will encourage people to plan a trip and experience the Island’s seafaring history and heritage for themselves.
Get involved
They hope to broaden the festival’s spread even further than last year and are inviting organisations, towns and villages to come up with their own nautically-inspired events, which will be promoted by VIOW for free.
David Thornton, CEO, Visit Isle of Wight said,
“The Festival of the Sea has the potential to become an integral part of the Island’s summertime fun and after last year’s tremendous success, we want to offer a rich mix of quality events to attract even more people to attend.
“We hope to have workshops, performances, open days, sport events, exhibitions, talks, demonstrations, beach events, food events and more. We’d also love to see towns and shops decorated in a nautical theme.”
Head to www.visitwight.org to get involved.
Image: The “Pirates of the Caribbean Europe Group”, who will be at Shipwreck Isle, which forms parts of the Festival of the Sea, on Sunday, 28th June
