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August 2007
A topical mix of horticultural exhibits, continuous arena events, static displays,
community projects and helicopter rides combined together to ensure that the
Chale Show was triumphant in leading the way for a month of popular summer
shows across the Island.
With its roots dating back to 1920, this was the 81st annual show and magnificently the event still managed to retain the nostalgia of the old village show. A full 20,000 square feet of attractions including more than 1000 exhibits were available for people to browse around at their leisure; not forgetting the marvels contained within the famous Horticultural marquee.
This year's Skandia Cowes Week witnessed 8,500 competitors per day taking part in 35 races and an influx of over 1000 yachts formulating a slight to behold in Cowes Harbour. People from more than a dozen countries attended the event, which helped to raise thousands of pounds for charity whilst singling out the Island as 'the place to be.' Exciting daily racing activities on the water coupled with an impressive line-up of entertainment on shore throughout the week, combined together to create a festival atmosphere of outstanding magnitude.
Following a brief period of uncertainty owing to an outbreak of the contagious foot-and-mouth disease, the Island's annual County Show returned unbeaten and unphased to the Northwood Showground this August. To the great relief of hundreds of traders, farmers, residents and visitors alike the show, which is famed for its livestock, carried on regardless with many other attractions lined up to compensate for the absence of cows, sheep and pigs. Spectacular arena events, folk tent entertainment, trade stands, local talent showcases, equestrian events and of course, the all-important farmers market delighted visitors to this family favourite event.
Bigger and better than ever, with over 300 stalls and two enormous marquees housing Island arts and crafts, the 23rd annual Garlic Festival returned to the garlic field in Newchurch; un-deterred by the intermittent showers of rain and gusts of wind which inevitably came to characterise the so-called summer of 2007. Estimated to have attracted up to 25,000 people through its gates, the list of attractions diversified this year to include top retro acts such as Mungo Jerry and Brotherhood of Man, a tantalising food marquee and an almost overwhelming range of stands representational of 60 Island businesses and providers, 22 charities and 27 caterers.
Four days of pure nostalgia were unveiled at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway in Havenstreet over the August Bank Holiday weekend. It was the ideal event for anyone harbouring a passion for steam engines, vintage machinery or the operation of the Island's railway service either today or in bygone years. If the idyllic setting of the Island Steam Show coupled with the background sounds of the period amusements weren't enough to transport visitors back in time by several decades, some of the novel arena activities certainly arose memories (for some), and conjured up thoughts (for others), of the summer shows of the 1950's and 60's.
Widely recognised as the largest scooter event in the world, the August Bank Holiday weekend welcomed thousands of fellow scooter enthusiasts to Ryde for a fun-filled line-up of ride-outs, rally events and parties. Blue skies and bright sunshine greeted the scooterists, mod fans and of course their faithful two-wheelers as they descended upon the IOW for the greatest rally of the scootering calendar. As always, the highlight of the weekend was the mass ride-out around the Island on Sunday, which, regardless of your personal preference and opinions on scooters, was without any shadow of a doubt, a truly awesome sight to behold.
This year the White Air Extreme Sports Festival was brought forward by one
month in order to coincide with it playing host to the World Windsurfing Racing Championships.
Yaverland remained the home of the festival, which was responsible
for attracting a combination of sporting enthusiasts. From Kitesurfers, Windsurfers,
Surfers, Skates and BMX riders to Mountain Boarders, to those with a passion
for Thundercat Racing, Mountain Bike Cross Country, Mountain Bike Trials,
Duathlon, Parkour, Kayak Racing, and more. The festival featured World Class
action from 18 sports on the water, beach, urban and land and also
expanded into art, 'Have a Go' activities and a full live music stage with
50 groups playing on the beach.
| Go back to July 2007 |
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