Ventnor Fringe prepares to celebrate 15 years with new venues, an expanded festival village and nearly 150 shows.
The popular event returns in less than a month, from July 19 to 28, promising ten days of events that include stand up comedy, cabaret, circus, opera, gigs, exhibitions and more.
The gigs take place in a wide range of venues around the town, from a 1930s Parisian bus to 11th century chapel, local residents' front rooms to a big top on the cliff.
Despite the disruption caused by road closures, some of which are due to reopen before the festival, the team are optimistic for this year's event.
Co-director Jack Whitewood said: "Over the years we’ve had our fair share of dramatic storms, a global pandemic and plenty of road closures.
"Running an event in Ventnor you get used to adapting to all sorts of situations. It would be too easy if we had flat fields with no character!”
The festival will be operating a park and ride service from Ventnor Rugby Club and shuttle bus around the town to help alleviate concerns about parking.
First started by a group of local teenagers inspired by the Island’s festival heritage, Ventnor Fringe has grown considerably in recent years, with a new box office record of more than 12,000 tickets sold in 2023.
Its dates at the end of July offer artists a final opportunity to test out new material before heading up to Edinburgh for the world’s largest arts festival, and just like its namesake artists at every stage of their career can apply to take part.
This year’s event features nearly 150 different ticketed shows, but there are many more free events too, and whole areas like the Fringe Village in Ventnor Park which don't need entry tickets for.
Simply soak up the atmosphere and catch live music, open air theatre, bars and the event’s first street food market.
“It’s important to us that everyone can find something to enjoy at the Fringe.” Jack said.
“After 15 years I think it’s become part of the town’s character for many. The mantra “Keep Ventnor Weird" kind of embodies it - it’s about a strong independent spirit, welcoming everyone, accepting and embracing the unusual, the unconventional approach.”
The town has changed over the time of the Fringe, with numerous pop up venues becoming permanent fixtures, like Ventnor Arts Club in a restored art deco bank and Ventnor Exchange in the town’s old Post Office, both now open year round.
This year will see the new venue, Ingrams Yard, added. There are plans to develop it to host workshops and artist space all year round, and it is already hosting weekly markets in its outdoor courtyard.
A giant mural by world famous street artist Phlegm in 2018 still stands watching over the town, attracting fans from around the country.
The Roaming Melodies will be putting on free jazz concerts (Image: Ventnor Fringe)
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