With the arrival of proper spring weather, events are now in place for first of the May Bank Holidays.
Brixham Pirate Festival – 4th and 5th May:
Up to 2,000 pirates will be heading to the historic fishing port of Brixham on Devon’s English Riviera for the renowned Brixham Pirate Festival that attracts visitors from all over the world. The Festival sees the whole of picturesque Brixham Harbour with its colourful cottages, spectacular marina, half-mile long breakwater and pretty beach gripped with Pirate Mania. Visitors can join in the swashbuckling atmosphere full of pirate characters with swords clashing, canons blasting and muskets firing and the largest collection of pirates seen ashore outside Tortuga!
Families will enjoy live music, games, re-enactments and skirmishes on the full sized replica of the Golden Hind. And pirate fans from all over the world will be joining in the Mile O’Pirates Record Attempt on the harbourside on Sunday 5th May. Brixham already holds the record at nine tenths of a mile but the Pirates are looking to see if they can complete a full mile (around 2,000 pirates). The attempt is open to everyone young and old as long as they come dressed as a pirate – there’s no need to register.
http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-on/brixham-pirate-festival-2013-p1170073
Meanwhile in Paignton……..
The Bikers Make a Difference (BMAD) Festival will transform Paignton Green on Devon’s English Riviera into an exciting destination of high-octane thrills, music and fun on the May Bank Holiday weekend (3rd to 5th May). BMAD will appeal to all ages whether they have an interest in motorbikes or not, although bike lovers will be in for a serious treat! Since its creation in 2002, the family-oriented BMAD festival has grown into a major event attracting locals, visitors and bikers from all across the UK. The festival features live music, stunts, a beer tent, more stalls than you can shake a Harley Davidson at and the stars of the show: the motorbikes. The event begins on the Friday evening 3rd May at 6pm, runs all day Saturday and Sunday 4th/5th May and wraps up with a firework display on Sunday evening, closing to the sound of roaring engines.
http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-on/bmad-motorbike-festival-2013-p518353
AND NOT FORGETTING TORQUAY………………
TorqEat, a brand-new FREE Food and Drink Festival will be
taking place on the vibrant Torquay harbourside and fan out over beautiful Cary
Gardens. Visitors will be able to try and buy from over 35 producers all
showcasing a delicious mix of food and drink products from across the English
Riviera and the West Country. In true Masterchef style, Torquay’s very own
celebrity chef, Richard Hunt from the prestigious Grand Hotel, will be leading
the line up of the English Riviera’s finest culinary talent in the exciting
Caterfood Cookery Theatre. There will also be a rich mixture of skilled arts and
craft makers demonstrating their wares. Plus, Torquay’s leading restaurants
and cafes will be laying on a special Total Produce TorqEat Foodie Trail
offering a special range of delicious, locally sourced dishes in the days
leading up to and beyond TorqEat. The event is organised by Torquay Business
Improvement District and is supported by Taste of the West who have over 1000
members in the region.
http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-on/torqeat-2013-p1500843