Hythe Venetian Fete
21st August 2024
0
0
0
0
Days
0
0
Hrs
0
0
Min
0
0
Sec
Hythe Venetian Fete

Hythe Venetian Fete

A floating extravaganza of family fun with a procession of decorated floats, live music, entertainment and fireworks at dusk.

Gates open at 4pm. Enjoy the funfair and festivities before the grand parades.

Introduction to the Hythe Venetian Fete

Celebrating tradition

Steeped in its long history, the Fete would not be such a celebrated event without its traditional opening ceremony. The Right Worshipful Mayor of Hythe with the other 13 Mayors of the Confederation of the Cinque Ports, all gather in Hythe, in full mayoral regalia, to enjoy this unique water spectacular. They arrive by float at the Centre Stage of the Royal Military Canal, thus heralding the official start of Hythe Venetian Fete.

The parade is led by a band and is divided into four sections:

  • Juvenile Societies;
  • Small Societies and Clubs;
  • Large Societies and Clubs; and
  • National Societies, Open and Commercial

Each section competes for a monetary prize and a silver trophy. There are also prizes and cups for the best daylight tableau, best floral, best dressed rowers, best illuminated and of course the coveted silver replica of the Cinque Port Ship awarded to the best overall entry of the Fete.

After the daylight parade there is an interval for spectators to enjoy the funfair, stalls and refreshments available all around the site….

As dusk falls, the spectacular firework display will begin. When everyone has got their breath back after the best firework display Hythe has ever witnessed, hundreds of fairy lights are lit across the bridges and amongst the trees and the tableaux, now illuminated, parade again presenting a fresh and fascinating picture, magically reflected in the water.

See the event timetable for more information.

Invaluable support from volunteers and sponsors

Hythe Venetian Fete is organised by the Society’s Executive Committee who all give their time free of charge. On Fete Day itself, even more volunteers, some 300 people, man gates, car parks and act as stewards to ensure everyone has a fun and safe time at the Hythe’s Royal Military Canal. We also have volunteers supporting the free music concerts held in the week leading up to the Fete.

The costs of running Hythe Venetian Fete exceed £130,000. Most of this money comes through the ticket sales, but these are kept as low as possible through generous sponsorship. Without this financial assistance and the support of the volunteers, the competitors who spend so much time in preparing their floats the Fete would not be possible.

Venetian Fete 2022 winners and runners-up

Best  Tableau On Parade

  • 1st Saltwood Scouts

Environmental Award

  • The Sea Cadets

Class One

  • 1st Saltwood Scouts

  • 2nd Hythe Bay C of E Primary School

  • 3rd Girl Guides

Class Two

  • 1st Hythe Twinning Association

  • 2nd Hythe Hops

  • 3rd Saltwood Church

Class Three

  • 1st Hythe Cricket Club

  • 2ndShepway Autism Support Group

  • 3rd Masonic Provence of East Kent

Class Four

  • 1st The Hoveman Family

  • 2nd The Fountain Public House

  • 3rd GSE

Best Daylight Tableau

  • Hythe Cricket Club

Best Dressed Rowers

  • 1st Hythe Twinning Association

Best Illuminated Tableau

  • 1st Hythe Twinning Association

  • 2nd The Girl Guides

  • 3rd St Augustine’s School

Best Floral Tableau

  • Hythe Hops

Hythe Venetian Fete
Hythe Venetian Fete