Weymouth launches bid to keep its beaches bustling this summer
This year's programme of events has been unveiled
It's hoped a new raft of summer events can keep Weymouth's beaches bustling this year.
Staycationers have flooded the area during the summer while international travel became a difficulty.
This year Beach Volleyball, steampunk weekends and the seafood festival are all making a comeback.
Dawn Rondeau from We Are Weymouth is hoping it'll be enough to make the tourists come back too.
She said:
"I'm hoping people will still come to Weymouth having had experiences with staycations during the last couple of years.
"People probably haven't been on a staycation in many years and having now come and seeing actually just down the road there's a wonderful beach people will come in their droves and say 'let's go back'
"I'm sure the events calendar will enhance people's decision to come and stay here in Weymouth."
Many of the town’s iconic events make a return including the Wessex Folk Festival, Armed Forces celebrations and the Chickerell Steam and Vintage Show. Seafest, the Dorset Seafood Festival, Nothe Fort military weekend, the Lions Beach Motocross event, and Guy Fawkes celebrations on the seafront in November, plus the popular Chase the Pudding event and a Christmas Day harbour swim in December round off the packed programme.
A beacon lighting event at the Nothe Fort will commemorate the start of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee four-day weekend in June. Many engaging community days, fetes and fairs, prestigious world and national sailing championships, live music, arts, and sports championships are also catered for.
In July, the town will also host its annual Beach Sports and Community Festival including the Beach Volleyball Classic, Weymouth Bay Swim, and a multi-sport community sports taster programme. One of the world’s biggest Ironman 70.3 triathlons takes place in September attracting over 2,500 entries from Britain and overseas.
Exciting new events such as the dusk ‘til dark September light extravaganza and of course the Elf world record and Steampunk events introduced in 2021 make a welcome return.
Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Colin Huckle, said:
“Every year the programme bursts with exciting events and this year is no exception. Weymouth Town Council will be coordinating celebrations and events throughout the town and inviting residents and visitors to sample the many delights on offer.
“These events really do pull in the crowds, with half a million visitors expected including competitors, family, friends, and event enthusiasts. Many are charitable events that generate around £250,000 for local and national charities. This is all made possible with the tireless commitment of volunteers providing many hours of wonderful support to make it all happen.”