MAJOR EVENTS ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT 2002

The Island's rich, diverse landscape makes it an ideal setting for a remarkable range of activities and events.   Walking, cycling and sailing are all reflected in the major events and regattas it hosts each year, and with community events taking place almost weekly at venues across the Island, the biggest problem is deciding when to visit.

Isle of Wight Walking Festival11-26 May 2002

The Isle of Wight's growing reputation as the 'Walking Mecca of the South' is well deserved.  With over 500 miles of well-maintained, signposted footpaths, just waiting to be discovered, the Isle of Wight Walking Festival is the ideal opportunity to get fit and discover the real Island!  The opening day of the Festival on 11 May in Shanklin will see this popular seaside resort filled with the sound of live entertainment and processions as the streets are closed to traffic and replaced with street theatre and activity zones.

The Island's largest walking festival with a range of themed walks including dinosaur hunting and ghost walks.
Contact: Alix McKee, Press & PR Officer, Isle of Wight Tourism, 01983 823035.        
E-Mail: press@islandbreaks.co.uk

Isle of Wight Festival 3-16 June 2002

The Festival will incorporate a varied range of music from Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop, Samba, Folk and World Music in as many venues as possible across the Island.  A high profile launch, with approximately five internationally famous acts, including a superstar headliner, will be organised in Seaclose Park, Newport on Monday 3rd June to coincide with the Queen's Golden Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend celebrations.

The Island has one of the strongest musical heritages of anywhere in the UK and is still remembered for it's legendary pop concerts of 1968, 1969 and 1970.
Contact: Rachel Board, Events Manager, Wight Leisure, 01983 823352.
E-Mail: rachael.board@iow.gov.uk

Isle of Wight Garden Show7-9 June 2002

The highly popular Isle of Wight County Press Garden Show, sponsored by cross-Solent operator Red Funnel, returns to Osborne House, East Cowes from 7-9 June.   Attracting around 15,000 visitors with trade stands from across the country, including several Chelsea Flower Show exhibitors   More information available from www.redfunnel.co.uk/gardens
Barton Manor Gardens 2 June/7 July/
Open Days & Hospice Fetes1 September
Themed Open Days, including a Jazz day and an Antique Fair, in aid of Island Hospice, the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.  More information available from fundraising@iwhospice.demon.co.uk

Skandia Life Cowes Week3-10 August 2002

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 the last one - Friday 9 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.

Isle of Wight Garlic Festival 17/18 August 2002

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.
Contact: Island Partners, 01983 853411. E-Mail: wightonline@islandpartners.co.uk
visit www.islandbreaks.co.uk, or contact John Sands at Wight Leisure on 01983 823828.

Festival of Cycling 21 September - 6 October

A series of cycling events encompassing all aspects of sporting and recreational cycling.
The Isle of Wight Cycling Season serves both as a celebration of the sport and reinforces the Island's position as a leading cycling destination.  The event offers a range of on and off road cycling challenges for all ages and abilities as well as a varied programme of entertainment for spectators.  So pedal this way for a biketastic time!
Contact John Sands, Wight Leisure, on 01983 823828, or visit www.islandbreaks.co.uk

White Air Extreme Sports Festival18th-30th October 2002

An adrenaline-filled event based at Yaverland in Sandown Bay, White Air attracts many top world-class competitors and high-profile sponsors, and is by far the biggest event of its kind in Britain and ranked as one of the most important events on the International circuits.  Top-class surfers, kitesurfers and windsurfers take to the sea whilst on land there are live bands every night as well as party nights.
Contact: Nigel Howell, Event organiser, 01983 760553, E-Mail: info@whiteair.co.uk
www.whiteair.co.uk

Carnivals

Nowhere is the Island's friendly, community spirit more evident than in its town carnivals that take place throughout the year. In fact, next year (28 August-8 September), the UK's oldest carnival kicks off a new festival in Ryde celebrating 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.
Contact: Sophie Jeffrey, 01983 823849, E-mail: sophie.jeffrey@iow.gov.uk

For a complete run-down of events taking place on the Island, please telephone Alix McKee, Press & PR Officer,
on 01983 823035
General Information: 01983 813818
Accommodation Hotline: 01983 813813

If you are interested in contributing more about this area then please contact us using our contact form or get in touch with your local council. All Economic Development Officers of County, District, Town, and parish councils are being sent an information pack and should be able to help you by providing more information on how you can contribute and benefit from Go Britain. If your Economic Development Officer has not yet had their information pack then please let us know the name and address and we will send an information pack straight away. In the meantime you may find that the chat forums we have set up provide a way to find out more about what is happening and discuss topics related to Britain.