THE Watchet Summertime celebrations have returned with a week-long bonanza of free events and entertainment for all the family and organisers claim it is all set to be one of the best in the event’s 11-year history.
The Esplanade will be filled by harbour-side stalls catering for a wide variety of interests, and music and entertainment providing a constant backdrop to what has become a major tourist event.
Watchet Summertime organisers claim there will be something for everybody to enjoy from market stalls to a children’s fun day, to craft workshops and a retro disco.
Monday kicked off with a grand opening and events including an Esplanade market, a giant Lego competition and a performance by Watchet community choir, while Tuesday will be largely devoted to craft activities and children’s entertainment.
These will feature creative writing and poetry, paper-making, light-up sculpture, lantern and rope-making, windmill craft, mask-making, wall-hangings, spinning, weaving and more.
Prizes for creative writing and poetry will be presented at 4 pm.
Wednesday is a children’s fun day on the Esplanade organised by Watchet Town Council and the packed programme includes a Taylor Swift tribute show, balloon modelling, a cabaret with dance lessons, Malcolm the Magician, and a family disco.
In the evening a Showtime Special featuring singing, music, and sketches, will take place at St Decuman’s church from 7 pm.
On Thursday there is a charity stall market with all-day music provided by Don’s Showtime featuring local performers Don and Graham, Matt Levett, John Middleton, Tabitha, the Watchet Singers, Mandy Woods, Jason John, and Barry Kool.
Thursday evening has a special treat for the not-so-young with a retro disco hosted by Geoff Ryder with outdoor dancing to 60s, 70s, and 80s hits with prizes for dancing and fancy dress.
The organisers urge: “Dig out those disco clothes and practice your dance moves!”
The evening also features Obby Oss performing on the Esplanade at 7.30 pm, followed at around 8 pm by an outdoor showing of the Abba movie Mamma Mia, put on by Watchet Community Cinema.
The audience is advised to bring chairs and warm clothes.
The Marina Café will stay open late for tea and coffee.
Friday will start with a collectors’ fair, featuring model boats, trains, cars, and toys, followed by a programme of entertainment including a silent disco in aid of the Elliot’s Touch charity, a concert by Watchet Town Band, and Watchet Town Council fun day performers.
To give the event an appropriately nautical flavour, members of the Bristol Channel Yachting Association are arriving in the harbour for their annual rally and Watchet Boat Owners’ Association has given a prize for the best-dressed boat.
A literal highlight of Friday’s entertainment will be the ‘Night of Lights’ parade along the Esplanade by children and adults, led by town crier David Milton, and dressed in lights or carrying battery-powered lanterns.
The celebrations will go out with a bang on Saturday night with a spectacular firework display expected to bring more than 1,000 visitors to the town and be seen as far away as Wales.
It will be the climax of an action-packed week of events and free entertainment, with a host of new attractions bringing capacity crowds to the town.
The traditional firework display will light up the sky from 9 pm to 9.40 pm.
Local covers band After Party will entertain the crowds starting at 6 pm, and to round off the evening, popular group Audio Roulette will take to the Esplanade stage from 10.15 pm to 11 pm to play out what is already being claimed as yet another Watchet Summertime resounding success.
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