MORE than 3000 people descended on Minehead last Saturday for the annual Minehead Bay Festival to enjoy an eclectic mix of entertainment for residents and visitors.

The festival kicked off in almost tropical weather with performances from local sea shanty group The Rogues and Skintight Samba, a Somerset-based samba band.

Performances from Trevor Babajack Steger and Minehead-based musicians Wob Williams, Alex Cook and The Understairs kept feet tapping in the sunshine, with headliners 3 Daft Monkeys delivering an electric performance.

Over on the circus green, Higher Beings Circus wowed the crowds with heart-stopping performances from tight-rope walkers, acrobats and aerialists, while Watchet-based gallery, East Quay, delivered free arts and crafts workshops.

Inside the wellness tent, festival-goers looking for a more relaxing festival experience immersed themselves in the healing sounds of gongs before enjoying relaxing sessions with local yoga teacher Terry Bruce.

Zara Aitken, event anager for the Minehead Bay Festival and project co-ordinator for the Minehead and Coast Development Trust said, “From start to finish, the esplanade was abuzz with festival goers enjoying the diverse array of entertainment on offer.

“We have some incredible local artists here and it was great to see the community come out in force to celebrate what makes Minehead so unique.

“We have been overwhelmed with the positive feedback and we’re excited to start planning next years’ event.

“I want to thank all those who made this event possible - it was a real community effort with several local charities and businesses providing volunteers, resources, and equipment.

“We couldn’t do it without the help and support of the community, and our team who have worked for months to make this event such a success.”

Throughout the afternoon, visitors enjoyed the creations of local artists Charlie Mcfarley, Patrick Bremer and Zoe Snape, who painted huge canvases on the esplanade.

Meanwhile, world champion sand sculptor and CBBC Deadly Art TV presenter, Nicola Wood, created a stunning sand sculpture of a giant octopus on the beach, with her team delivering free workshops to help families build their very own sculptures.

Musicians as young as 15 years old were invited to perform at the ‘Busk Station’, organised by local musicians Follow the Dolphin, while local youth organisation, Minehead EYE and the team from South West Skate Ramps, ran skate-boarding workshops and competitions.

The Minehead Bay Festival was delivered by the Minehead and Coast Development Trust with support from Minehead EYE, Rotary Club, Homestart, and RNLI and was funded by grants from Hinkley Point C Community Impact Mitigation Fund, Coastal Communities Team and Minehead BID.

PHOTOS: James Aitken,

of James A Photography