Dartmouth Regatta – August 24th – 27th 2011
August 18th, 2011 Posted in August 2011, Events and What's onEvery year I am compelled to make a pilgrimage to Dartmouth and for a very good reason. The Dartmouth Regatta. As a child I used to visit every year with my family to enjoy the sights and sounds of Dartmouth during the Regatta week. As I have gotten older I started visiting with friends. It is now tradition for all of my friends from across the UK to all make the trip to Dartmouth to be reunited and reminisce about our childhood; this year is no exception.
I hope to see you there!
For those of you that don’t know what the Dartmouth Regatta is let me enlighten you.
The Dartmouth Regatta is one of the largest public events in South West and originated in 1822. Originally run by the wealthier gentlemen of the neighborhood with a small number of sailing races and a grand ball in the evening, over the years the event has become considerably larger, spanning 3 days over the last weekend in August. It now incorporates a program of rowing and sailing events, grand firework displays, air displays from The Red Arrows, a fun fair, street markets and much much more, attracting over 100,000 people each year. Totally funded through voluntary donations and sponsorship it is organized by a committee of local volunteers.
A programme of what is happening over the 3 days can be read below:
Rowing:
Rowing heats take place between Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd with the fainals on the 26th. The location is between the Higher Ferry and The lower Ferry. The best place to watch would be from the embankment with the finish line opposite the Dartmouth Yacht Club.
Also running throughout Thursday 25th are the West of England Amateur Rowing Association championships, where crews from all over the country compete in one of the larges Regatta programmes in the rowing diary.
Swimming
Swimming Gala held on Saturday 20th August at Dartmouth Swimming Pool with full programmed of events to entertain spectators.
Tennis Tournament
The 43rd Annual Tennis Tournament will be held on Cornonation Park during the whole Regatta week. Beginning on Monday 22nd August with events ranging from Mens and Womens Open Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles and more.
For more information on the tennis tournament – www.dartmouthregattatennis.co.uk
Tug-of-War
Always a great spectacle for all, the Tug of War contests start at 10.30 on Saturday 27th and there is even a Family fun Tug-of-war!
International Trolly Grand Prix
Held on Friday morning on the South Embankment. One not to miss, these two events (junior and senior race) feature teams of mechanics and drivers competing in their Formula One Marks & Spencer trolly. The race starts from the pits outside the Rock Fish on the South Embankment with a five litre empty can. At the start of the race they collect water from the refueling tank and then back to their trolley where they pour water into the trolley’s fuel tank. Driverst then push their trolley across the course at speed trying to keep the tanks filled with water.
Aerial Displays (timings subject to change, weather dependent)
5:00pm RN Sea King 771 Squadron.
5:15pm RN Lynx 815 Squadron
Thursday 25th August 2011
5:45pm RN Lynx 815 Squadron 6:00pm RN Sea King 771 Squadron
Friday 26th August 2011
5.30pm Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
6.00pm The Red Arrows
6.30pm RAF Tucano rehearsal.
Saturday 27th August 2011
12:00noon RN Sea King 771 Squadron
1.00pm The Black Knights parachute display team
5.00pm RN Lynx 815 Squadron
5.30pm RAF Tucano.
Firework Displays – Thursday 25th 9pm and Saturday 27th pm
The highlight of the year, two fantastic displays light up the skies over Dartmouth on Thursday night, fired from the Bight, between Bayards Cove and the mouth of the river, and the finale the Saturday night display from the centre of the river from the Bandstand
Regatta Rock – Wednesday 24th August
Tickets £25 each available from The Royal Castle Hotel
Regatta Rock will feature Badness and Duke Johnson & The Scorchers, supported by local band Phoenix. (Over 18’s only)
Music in The Bandstand
A marvelous mix of music will entertain all throughout the week at the Bandstand in Avenue Gardens:
Wednesday 24 August 2011 8pm: Eat The Rich
Thursday 25 August 2011 Afternoon: The Naughtie Buoys
Thursday 25 August 2011 Evening: Sax Appeal
Friday 26 August 2011 Afternoon: Antigua Joe
Friday 26 August 2011 Evening: The Loose Cannons
Saturday 27 August 2011 Afternoon: Devon & Somerset Fire Services Brass band
Saturday 27 August 2011 5pm: 59 Ford
Saturday 27 August 2011 7pm: Tinitus
Saturday 27 August 2011 Afternoon: Duke Johnson & The Scorchers
Shopping Village
For those who love to browse then head for the shopping situated in the main marquee on Coronation Park. Its packed with stalls of every theme and produce from a fantastic array of food and drink to arts, crafts, jewellery, textiles and much much more. Most of the producers will be operating a “Buy now-Collect later” scheme so you don’t have to carry your purchased around all day!
Fun Fair
Throughout the Regatta the fun fair will be open on the Mayor’s Avenue car park.
Crab Fishing
For the young and the ‘not so young’ a Crab fishing contest is being held on Friday 26th for Juniors and Thursday 25th for Pensioners. Sign in at 9am in the shelter opposite the Hospital on the South Embankment.
Full details of the events of the week can be found on www.dartmoutregatta.co.uk
