There's a certain note of expectation and excitement in the air at Babbacombe each June as the town counts down to its biggest festival of the season ‐ the Babbacombe Festival. Started in the year 2000, this marvellous event just keeps getting bigger and better. If you are staying in the Torquay area in the third week in June you will certainly find plenty to keep you amused at this local festival.
Flowers and music feature high at the Babbacombe Festival
The Babbacombe Festival is hard to categorise as it crams so much into nine days. On the opening Saturday there's All Saints Fete, Babbacombe Regatta, a Grand Summer Ball at the Palace Hotel in aid of Cancer Research and a concert by the Torbay Symphony Orchestra.
Sunday sees the continuation of the Regatta followed by Bowls Taster Sessions on Monday in Cary Park. Wednesday is a full day with the Babbacombe Fayre held on Babbacombe Downs. Admission is free to this one-day event, organized by the local Rotary Club. After dark it's Party Night in the Festival Marquee with local ales, cider and live music from Three Bags Full.
The fun continues around the area on Thursday with the Furrough Cross Flower Festival which keeps its beautiful floral arrangements on display until Saturday.
Party on while raising money for charity
The Rotary Proms Night is a great fundraising event so dig out your dinner jackets, polish your tiara and bring your hamper to the marquee to enjoy an evening of entertainment by the Riviera Concert Brass Band. 2014 commemorates 100 years since the start of World War 1 so expect some classic wartime songs from the Rockabellas.
Still on a historic theme, there is an exhibition of pictures about Babbacombe's role in World War 2 with free admission during the day.
You can't go home just yet, as Friday has guided walks of Tessier Gardens, scrumptious Devon Cream Teas in aid of CLIC Sargent and an Oktoberfest-style evening with German beer and Bavarian music at the German Oompah Night.
Babbacombe Festival celebrates Armed Forces Day
On Saturday 21st June 2014 the pace is still high as Babbacombe hosts the Armed Forces Day to honour the work of our Armed Forces. This family day out includes a Veterans Parade, live music and plenty of exhibits and displays including a Spitfire.
It's Festival Funk Party Night in the Marquee on Saturday with a bar, disco and live music by Funkty Dumpty. Never heard of them? Well now's your chance to put that right!
The grand finale on Sunday is Fish and Chips on the Downs Music Festival. Get there at noon to join the queue for fish and chips and eat them while being entertained by live music. Finally, put your hand in your pocket for the charity raffle and hopefully win yourself a great prize.
Well, that's the line-up for 2014; who knows what will be in store in future years.
Babbacombe hosts several events during the year as well as the Babbacombe Festival. Do you know of any other great events in the Torquay area? We'd love you to share them with other readers on the comments below.
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.