Events of the Year 2006

Review of the Year 2006 As the evenings draw in and another year slowly comes to an end, what better way to say goodbye to 2006 than to reflect upon some of the superb events that have helped shaped the Island’s calendar throughout the course of the year

Remembrance Weekend More than three quaters of the population were said to have paused for the two minute silence at 11am on the 11th November to remember all those who gave their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today

	Wear it Pink Day Schools, businesses and organisations across the Island joined together in wearing pink for the day in an effort to raise money to help find a cure for breast cancer throughout the UK
	White Air Extreme Sports Festival More than 20,000 spectators and competitors flocked to the Island to celebrate the 10th anniversary White Air, which is one of the largest events in the world dedicated to extreme sports on land, on sea and in the air

	Isle of Wight Cycling Festival The Isle of Wight Council was once again proud to be hosting a series of activities this September, all of which combined together to form the Island's Ultimate Cycling Event - the annual Isle of Wight Cycling Festival
	The Bestival Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park took on a revolutionary new spin over the weekend of the 8th-10th September when it became the sight of ‘boutique festival fun and frolics’ in hosting the last UK festival of 2006
	75th Anniversary Schneider Cup The world’s fastest air race returned to the Isle of Wight on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd September when the 75th Anniversary Schneider Cup touched down at Bembridge Airport

	Cowes Powerboat Festival Sailing gave way to power at Cowes over the August Bank Holiday weekend when the Powerboat P1 British Grand Prix of the sea roared into life
	The Garlic Festival Around 20,000 people attended this year's Garlic Festival in Newchurch to help celebrate the Island's Garlic Farm's reputation as the best-known producer in Britain; even now exporting into mainland Europe!
	Skandia Cowes Week The oldest and largest sailing regatta in the world breezed into the Island’s social calendar once again this year, celebrating its 180th anniversary as well as another record number of entries

	Westlife Perform Live at Osborne House Ten thousand fans made their way home from Osborne House on the evening of Saturday 29th July on an upbeat note having just been wowed by Irish boy band and chart topping super-group Westlife
	Meridian Sandcastle Competition The picturesque sands of Ryde’s Appley Beach took centre stage when they played host to ITV’s annual Meridian Sandcastle Competition and popular news presenter Fred Dinenage in the height of the summer heatwave
	Ryde Arts Festival This nine-day “arts-for-all” event encouraged groups of performers, poets, photographers, musicians, schools, community groups and art experts to join together to produce an extraordinary blend of creative skills and knowledge

	Prince Edward Visits the Island The Earl of Wessex flew across to the Island by Royal helicopter to attend a variety of engagements including a trip to St Thomas’ Church and the Earl Mountbatten Hospice in Newport, Haseley Manor and Brading Roman Villa
	Nokia Isle of Wight Festival Temperatures soared in the Island’s capital as a 50,000 strong crowd soaked up musical offerings from some of the biggest names in the industry today including Coldplay, Foo Fighters and The Prodigy
	The 75th Round the Island Race Professional crews, corporate teams and amateurs all joined forces to take part in one of the world’s largest and most famous yacht races

	Cultural Diversity Day A celebration of Cultural Diversity was staged in Newport town centre to raise awareness of the diverse cultural heritage of our local community
	Walk the Wight 5211 people joined the mass expedition across the full 26.5 mile length of the Island’s countryside to raise money for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice