It’s just a few more weeks until the 177th Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta.
After an unpredictable return to the waters last year, we are back on track this year with a refresh to our iconic Regatta Week.
The week commences on Saturday 20th August with our Family Fun Weekend sponsored this year by Goulden & Sons. We have a fantastic range of activities going on for all the family based in the Royal Avenue Gardens featuring old favourites like Professor Bumble who will be running his Circus skills workshops and performing his ever popular children’s show. On the Sunday we have a member of the Magician’s Circle, Ozzie D, entertaining the crowds with various games and magic shows. As well as lots of children’s arts and crafts, there will also be plenty of interactive animal encounters curtsey of Animal HQ with snakes and rabbit. You can learn more about the Seal Project and conservation, and also get to watch the four-legged parade as part of our annual Dog Show!
To wrap up the Family Fun weekend, on Sunday evening Dartmouth will be hosting it’s first ever Firewalk! Yes you read that right! Working with 2 x Guinness World Record Holder, Scott Bell, and UK FireWalk, you will have the chance to walk the red-hot glowing embers to raise some money for your chosen local charity. Registration and full details can be found on our website of this amazing event sponsored by Bays Brewery.
The Sailing and Rowing programmes get underway with the Royal Dart Yacht Club, Dittisham Yacht Club & Dartmouth Yacht Club all doing what they do best with their trained crews. There is also the Kon-Tiki Raft Race on the Saturday, for the not-so-trained ‘crews’.
Mid-week, the Pilot Financial Series & Junior Dinghy Races, the Passage Race, Gaffers & White Sail Events, and the Coastal & the Local Rowing heats are all under way. Plus a new event for the 177th Regatta is the Seine Boat Rowing on the River Dart. Fun afloat as well with Bungee Rowing, a Scavenger Hunt and the Waterborne Treasure Hunt. On the closing Saturday the Jubilee River Parade sponsored by Premier, Noss on Dart sets sail, where we hope to see around 50 vessels taking part in another fabulous River Parade, joined by the Steam Boats. Followed by a magnificent Flyboarding display.
This year we will not host larger scale ticketed performances in Coronation Park, but we have focused on having nightly live music throughout the week in Royal Avenue Gardens to entertain you for FREE. However we do ask you to donate if you can, to support your local Regatta and to keep our fabulous programme of events running year upon year. Saturday night sees the return of the silent disco, as well as with the family disco on Tuesday, then our live music programme of performances kick off in the Royal Avenue Gardens on Monday with Rob Hunt & the Bongo Wolves! Other performers for the week; Superstition, Harbour Duo, 4Play and Russell Sinclair. You can also find Mark Ely in the Market Square on Thursday and Saturday.
Our traditional events continue with Regatta Praise on Sunday and the Regatta Recitals daily at St Saviours Church along with the morning Bell Ringing.
As well as our nautical and music festivities, we’ll be hosting many sporting events during the week, including Darts, Tennis, Bowls and we also have the Golf Tournament on Wednesday held at the Dartmouth Hotel & Golf Club.
The information hut will take ‘centre stage’ in the Royal Avenue Gardens for all your questions and make sure you pick up your copy of the Special Edition Jubilee Programme with a collectable piece of artwork on the front cover by local artist Paul Barclay. The cover is perforated so it can be removed and framed along with a copy of a very special letter on the reverse. And while you are there remember to pick up your entry form for Spot The Oddity, Dartmouth’s favourite competition where you can take in all the local businesses whilst looking for that unusual item in their windows!
Wednesday evening is our traditional Opening Ceremony in Royal Avenue Gardens to mark the official start of the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta, hosting our local dignitaries, followed by Beating Retreat by Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Band.  Billy Baker & James Harris will be performing here also.
The Makers Market will take place on Thursday and Saturday with many beautiful handmade goods to indulge in and take home, accompanied by music and refreshments. The Shopping Parade is the ideal location to stroll and shop located on the North Embankment, providing a broad range of gifts, food and drink. From Cosmetics to Crafts, Rum to T-shirts, Milkshakes to Chocolate, something for everyone.
Your little ones can take part in the ice-cream competition or the regal fancy dress competition in Royal Avenue Gardens, colouring competition or the pavement chalk artist’s as you walk along the Embankment. Or they can take to the water with our ‘have-a-go’ paddle boarding.
Supported each year by Dartmouth Town Council, we also welcome back Salcombe Gin & Baker Estates as our Platinum sponsors once more for 2022 and Bays Brewery as our main Bar Sponsor. Joining them this year are two new Gold sponsors, Original Cottages and Caroline Nicholls. Original Cottages have recently purchased Blue River Cottages with an office in Dartmouth and Caroline Nicholls, British clothing and accessory designer bringing a touch of glamour to the Boat Float.
Friday Fun sees Barrel Rolling, Waiters & Waitresses Races and the much anticipated International Trolley Grand Prix all on the embankment.
On Coronation Park you will find the Armed Forces Military Village with the Mobile Outreach Van with various bits of kit to display and dress up kit to try on.
Finally, wrap up on the Saturday evening with our Closing Ceremony followed by, as always, the amazing Fireworks Display.
Full details can be found in our Programme, Website and Social Media and our Newsletters.
Details were all correct at time of going to press.
All enquiries, please email Laura: marketing@dartmouthregatta.co.uk
