| Isle of Grand National and Ashey Scurry
The Island's own amateur races. Four races over natural fences for horses and ponies of all sizes and breeds and riders of all ages.
Beer tent and sweepstake betting. |
Late March - 2005 tba
www.iw-scurry.co.uk |
| Isle of Wight Walking Festival
The Isle of Wight has over five hundred miles of footpaths and bridleways including a coastal path and eight long distance walks.
There are over 135 themed walks for ramblers of all sorts. |
8th to 23rd May 2004
www.islandbreaks.co.uk/walking |
| Old Gaffers Festival, Yarmouth
Street Entertainment
Live Music
Spectacular Classic and Gaff-rigged Boats in the Harbour
Exciting Racing for Gaff-rigged Boats within sight of the shore
Visiting Classic Vehicles
Craft Fair and Market
Flower Festival
Lifeboat Demonstration
Tug-o-War
And lots more ….. |
4th to 6th June 2004
yarmoutholdgaffersfestival.co.uk |
| Isle of Wight Festival
Two weeks of music spread across the Island covering all genres of music including a 3 day rock concert on the 11th to 13th June. The line up includes the Who, Stereophonics, David Bowie and Manic Street Preachers. |
4th to 19th June 2004
www.isleofwightfestival.com |
| Round the Island Yacht Race
The World’s largest single yacht race is held annually, with boats of all shapes and sizes competing on handicap in this anti-clockwise race around the Isle of Wight. In recent years, there have been over 1,500 boats and over 12,000 competitors. The race around the Island’s 60 miles of coastline offers many opportunities for spectators to view the yachts close at hand, especially around the Needles and along the south coast. |
26th June 2004
www.roundtheisland.org.uk |
| Cowes Week
There’s nothing quite like Cowes Week – the sailing is great for spectators and competitors alike as well as a fantastic line up of live entertainment day and night. And if you only come for a day, make sure it’s – Friday 13 August – as this is when the Annual Grand Fireworks Display takes place. Conducted from a pontoon moored in the Solent off Marine Esplanade (to the West of the Royal Yacht Squadron), hundreds of vessels from pleasure steamers to small power-boats lie at anchor, whilst the shore is packed with thousands of spectators watching the fireworks light up the sea and night sky with an amazing burst of colour. |
7th to 14th August 2004
www.cowesweek2.co.uk |
| Town Carnivals
Nowhere is the Island’s friendly, community spirit more evident than in its town carnivals that take place throughout the season. This season comprises approximately 17 Carnivals, 6 of which are illuminated, plus lantern processions throughout the year including the biggest, which takes place annually in Ryde on the last Sunday in November. The season kicks off with a spectacular a Mardi-Gras style ‘East and West Cowes Shrovetide Carnival’ on Sunday 22nd February and runs right through to a Christmas Carnival in Newport in December.
Ryde Arts Festival celebrates all aspects of the arts from street theatre to stand-up comedy. The event is also an opportunity for award-winning artists to express themselves in the Island’s natural surroundings from Art on the Esplanade and Sand Sculpture to Poetry on the Pier.
| Newport |
15th July 2004 |
| Freshwater |
24th July 2004 |
| Bembridge |
25th July 2004 |
| Sandown |
28th July 2004 |
| Cowes |
29th July 2004 |
| Shanklin |
4th August 2004 |
| Shanklin Illuminated Carnival |
7th August 2004 |
| Ventnor |
18th August 2004 |
| Ventnor Illuminated Carnival |
21st August 2004 |
| Sandown Illuminated Carnival |
25th August 2004 |
| Yarmouth |
28th August 2004 |
| St Helens |
30th August 2004 |
| Cowes Illuminated Carnival |
31st August 2004 |
| Ryde |
2nd September 2004 |
| Ryde Illuminated Carnival |
4th September 2004 |
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| Blackwater Raft Race
As well as the most exciting water-sport on the Island there is a tug of war, egg throwing and a beer tent. Disco in the evening |
date to follow
www.raft-race.com |
| Isle of Wight County Show
The Island's agricultural and country show. Loads of trades stands, exhibits and displays as well as a fun fare. |
24th July - 25th July 2004
www.riwas.org.uk |
| Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
Now in it’s 20th year, the Garlic Festival is a weekend to celebrate the Islanders’ feat of selling garlic to the French! The event takes place at Newchurch (A3056 Newport - Sandown road) with over 250 stallholders selling such delights as garlic beer and garlic ice cream as well as a wealth of other locally produced delicacies. Further entertainment includes live music from local bands and displays from mountain bike daredevils. |
21st to 22nd August 2004
www.garlicfestival.co.uk |
