Friday 18th to Sunday 20th August - Event Theme “In and On the Water”
Despite the windy and sometimes wet conditions, Bembridge Harbour was stacked full of visiting boats for this year’s Family Fun Weekend.
Friday's Paper Boat Building Workshop resulted in 25 marine masterpieces for Saturday’s Great Bembridge Paper Boat Race at Brading Haven Yacht Club. Together with Club entries, a total of 42 boats took to the water over 3 races. Lack of wind with the incoming tide led to a shortened course, with the high level of expectation and excitement unaffected and prizes able to be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each race.
The beach games, always a favourite, included egg and spoon, 3-legged, sack and running races in various age groups from under 5s to adults, and culminated in a very noisy and wet Family Bucket Challenge! There were 13 fabulous entries into the Sandcastle Building Competition, and 7 for the Sand Sculptures, giving the Judges an almost impossible task, but they managed in the end, with “Windsor Castle” winning the architectural prize, and a Mermaid the sculpting.
Bembridge RNLI Lifeboat was in the Harbour offering tours, and the RYA sea safety team were on hand offering free lifejacket checks and advice, both much appreciated by all.
Saturday night’s Harbour Party featured live music from All Washed Up, with a Fancy Dress Competition in the event theme of “On or In the Water” featuring Neptune, several pirates, a shark, a lobster, crabs and a jellyfish which lit up!
The event culminated in Sunday’s Crabbing Competition with “crab catchers” aged from 1 to 70+. All crabs, once counted, were carefully returned to the water - the largest crab measuring 7.5cm (not including the legs)! There were prizes for all.
A wonderful weekend was had by all, with over £2,000 raised for the Harbour’s nominated charity, the Sophie Rolf Trust, KissyPuppy.