With a busy street market, family entertainment, beach games and an evening fireworks display, the Sandown’s holiday crowds were treated to a full day of Regatta fun on the town’s Esplanade for the first time in three years.
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A real community effort
Now run by Sandown Carnival, the Regatta partnered with Island community organisation Market Days to put on the street market and brought in the Horse Box Theatre Company, magician David Randini and David Major’s Punch and Judy show to provide entertainment through the day.
Flags along the seafront were provided by Shademakers UK.
Aspirations for annual event
The organisers now hope to build the event so it becomes an annual celebration of Sandown and the Bay.
Sandown Carnival chair Paul Coueslant said,
“It’s both a challenge and a massive opportunity to take on Sandown Bay Regatta, an event with heritage going back to 1857. We feel our first stab at it turned out to be a big success, with a busier beach and seafront than many can remember for a long time.
“The task now is to build on the good things for next year so the Regatta becomes a fixture in the Island’s summer calendar once more.
“As a non-profit community group, we really do depend on the generosity of the public to stage our events and make them bigger and better each year.
“As always, we remind everyone how easy it is to make even a small donation to us online or by dropping in to our shop at 77a High Street, Sandown PO36 8AD.”
News shared by Paul on behalf of Sandown Carnival Association. Ed
Images: © Sandown Carnival
