Minehead Bay Festival celebrates five years with day-long free entertainment

THOUSANDS of residents and visitors packed the sea front on bank holiday Saturday when Minehead Bay Festival returned for a fifth year, offering a free, day-long celebration of music, art, wellbeing, and family fun.

With sunshine and heavy showers taking turns throughout the day, the festival featured two live music stages, with performances on the main stage from Dakka Skanks, Alcohol Licks, Nothing Concrete, Nick Parker, Sebastian Tesouro, and St Fian.

On the busk station stage, local musicians of all ages and genres added to the brilliant atmosphere of the event.

This year's festival introduced community yarn-bombing - decorating objects with street art, knitting, or embroidery - created in collaboration with Minehead Women’s Institute and more than 100 people, adding colour and creativity to the celebrations.

Elsewhere on the seafront, the festival came alive with the rhythms of Minehead Samba Band, sea shanty performances, and circus acts, while street artists painted murals live and visitors took part in art workshops in the East Quay tent.

On the beach, a dedicated nature area gave festival goers an opportunity to unwind and get creative, with seashore treasure hunts and beach art workshops, while those looking to slow the pace relaxed in a wellbeing tent.

Zara Aitken, event manager and charity operations manager at Minehead Coast and Development Trust, said: “A big thank you goes to this year's main festival sponsors, Minehead Town Council and Hollam Solicitors.

“The festival was also made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.

“For the past five years, our goal has always been the same, to bring people together, celebrate our incredible community, and give everybody a free day out.

“None of it would be possible without the support we get from local performers, volunteers, and businesses.

“We are thrilled to have celebrated this milestone with the whole community."