Ventnor Carnival Week is well underway, boasting a line-up of events, processions, and festivities until Saturday (August 17).
The town has plenty still to look forward to, with the Main Carnival later today (Wednesday), followed by Ventnor Day and the Illuminated Carnival, with the Ventnor Pirate Festival mixed in for good measure.
Ventnor Main Carnival
Following on from the Children’s Carnival at midday, Ventnor’s Main Carnival takes place this evening, with participants assembling from 5pm, ahead of judging at 6pm and the start of the procession at 7pm.
The carnival will wind its way through Pier Street, High Street, Madeira Road, St Catherine’s Street, back onto Pier Street and Church Street, Belgrave Road, before concluding on Park Avenue.
Highlights of the procession will include performances by the Ventnor Comic Jazz Band, Vectis Corps of Drums, Medina Marching Band, Raw Samba and Fat Samba.
The evening will end with a dazzling fireworks display on Ventnor seafront.
Ventnor Pirate Festival
Also kicking off today is the Ventnor Pirate Festival, mainly hosted across the Esplanade and the main town.
The festival offers a variety of activities, including best-dressed competitions, a treasure hunt, songs of the sea, barrel rolling and tug of war – to name just a few.
Organisers said: “We have a treasure trove of entertainment taking place over the festival with something for everyone!
“Whether you want to get stuck into the many activities, games and workshops available with the family or simply to drink and be merry whilst singing along to sea shanties at The Spyglass Inn, the Pirate Fest is the place to be!
“See you there ye scallywags, and remember, pirate attire is strongly encouraged!”
Find the full programme of events and activities taking place from today to Saturday on the Ventnor Pirate Festival Facebook page.
Ventnor Day
On Friday (August 16), Ventnor Park will host Ventnor Day, the penultimate celebration of Carnival Week, promising a fun-filled day for all.
The Bandstand will feature a line-up of local performers, including WatEVvA, Lucan, Island Vibe and Nellie Pickles.
Meanwhile, the Putting Green will host performances by Bethan John, Strawberry Moon, Mick Davies, Dance Vibez and Sonia Madden.
Children will be entertained by magician Stevo.
The event will be opened by Ventnor Maynor Steve Cooper and the Carnival Queen, accompanied by her royalty.
They will be piped into the park by Kit the Bagpiper, a local teenager, accompanied by Charlie with her Colour Guard flags.
In addition to the various food and drink offerings, there will also be stalls from community groups, voluntary organisations, businesses, crafters and artists.
The Young Farmers will also be present with an ‘exciting surprise’, said organisers.
Ventnor Illuminated Carnival
The week’s festivities conclude with the Illuminated Carnival on Saturday.
Carnival-goers can expect a spectacular visual display to end the week’s celebrations on a high note.
Kicking off at 9pm, the procession will take a slightly different route to the Main Carnival, seeing it start from Pier Street and onto High Street, Victoria Street and Albert Street, before returning to Pier Street, Church Street, Belgrave Road and finishing at Park Avenue.
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