The Arts Festival started today it’s 6th year. The town will be looking forward to all things art related.

Tomorrow - Saturday 5th July is the first Carnival of the season on the Island. The Arts Festival Parade starts at 1.15pm and ends about 3.00pm it will be a feast of colour, fun, comedy and wonderful costumes. The highlight of the parade is going to be the JUNKANOO - they are a visiting Carnival troupe from the Bahamas, they will be rushing around the route in their wonderful costumes and playing their own style of carnival music, the like of which the Island has never seen, please turn out and support our visitors with a wonderful Island welcome.

Also running in conjunction with the festival this weekend (Friday 4th, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th) is the Ryde Regatta, supported by the Ryde Town Council and Ryde Rotary, the Regatta is billed has the “LARGEST MUSIC FESTIVAL ON THE ISLAND” there is a fantastic mix of local and visiting bands from the mainland.

The Regatta kicks off with a spectacular set by local musicians on Friday. This is the first time the Regatta has had a Friday Evening Slot.