Friday 2 July will mark the beginning of this year’s Ryde Arts Festival; the largest mixed arts event to take place on the Isle of Wight. Now in its tenth year, the Arts Festival is a week-long infusion of local artists, musicians and performers which takes place at various locations throughout the town, both indoors and out.
The Arts Festival boasts a fun-filled program of events which spans a ten day course, eventually drawing to a close on Sunday July 11. The festival, which is co-ordinated by Ryde Art Works, encourages groups of promoters, performers, poets, photographers, musicians, artists, schools, community groups and art experts to join together in producing an extraordinary blend of creative skills and knowledge.
All of these activities have been carefully organised to coincide with Ryde Regatta, which takes place on Ryde seafront on Saturday 3 July. Organised this year by the Park Centre in Ryde on behalf of Ryde Town Council, there will be a great line-up of live musical acts, family and children’s events and beach activities. The regatta is one of Ryde’s oldest and most popular social events, having run every summer for 121 years.
The Arts Parade is the flagship event of the council’s Carnival Learning Centre. Started in 2003, the parade has grown in size, quality and diversity over the years to become a real favourite for performers and visitors alike. Over 1000 costumed performers and musicians from local schools and community groups take part.
The parade is set to depart Simeon Street Recreation Ground via the Westhill Road Road exit at 6pm continuing along the Esplanade, Dover Street, Star Street, Union Street and returning along the Esplanade to arrive back at approximately 8-8.30pm. Please use this link to download a Map of the Procession Route. A fantastic firework display on Ryde seafront will round-off the Saturday evening.
This year’s theme is the second in a series of four, counting down to the London Olympics in 2012.
The Carnival Learning Centre’s flagship event opens the 2010 season of summer carnivals. This year the Arts Parade will start from a different venue and at a later time. This is to prepare for the 2011 Parade which will form part of the Opening Ceremony for the International Island Games.
For more information about the Arts Festival please visit www.rydeartsfestival.org.
