A fun packed programme of family entertainment is planned for this years Ryde Arts Festival, which commences with the vibrant Arts Parade through the town on Saturday 5th July.

Young people and community groups from across the Isle of Wight are set to take part in a grand parade, where they will be showing off their creative carnival skills. 

The Arts parade leaves Dover Street at 1.15 on Saturday afternoon with this years parade being led by 30 costumed performers from the Festival of Junkanoo in the Bahamas, before they begin their national tour of the UK.  

Island Pulse in association with Island Lifestyles 2020 created this slideshow of Ryde Arts Festival Parade 2007.

The festival spirit will continue from 5th to 13th July 2008, with a range of weird and wonderful events, including Fun Tennis Diablo with Ryde Extreme Performers and outside the Library, the Bus Shelter that thinks it a lounge. Complete with comfy chair and wallpaper this will be the venue for Performance book readings.

The programme includes:

Cemetery Open/Activity Day planned by the Social Heritage Group. Activities include walks, talks, bug hunts to name a few.

Contemporary Craft Exhibition at the Depozitory, Nelson Street from 
Monday 7th onwards.
 
Buskers Banquet  Tuesday and Wednesday 8th/9th in the Town Square.  
All buskers invited to take part. 

Performance book Readings in the bus shelter outside Ryde Library.  
Thurs 10th 2-5pm 

Loft Poets at Ryde Library 7?11th July

Rainbow Wight Singers 9th at Esplanade Hotel. Gig in the Garden.  Evening event on Frid 12th in the Western Gardens.  Wild Oats to headline. 

Chinese Lantern Launch at High tide. Various music, dance, circus skills and  art based events happening throughout the week. 

More information available from the Arts Festival website www.rydeartsfestival.org or collect a FREE programme (as above) from Ryde Tourist Information Centre and shops around the town. 

Isle of Wight Community Events @Island Pulse.