Hythe Venetian Fete History

In 1891, three Fetes were held. Unfortunately, due to reluctance of people to support the event by putting money in the collecting tins, no Fetes were held in 1892 or 1893.

1894 saw the first Hythe Cricket Week. The Venetian Fete was part of this event to entice visitors to the Cricket Club's money raising events. This continued until World War One during which no Fetes were held.

In 1919 the Cricket Week restarted. Unfortunately no Fete could take place as the canal was in a bad state due to war labour problems and heavy weed.

The Fete was organised by Frederick Harlow with the help of Hythe Chamber of Commerce. It took place in 1927, 1929  and 1930.

After 1930 bitter opposition by local people to the canal banks being closed for 8 hours on Fete day meant the Fete could not be held for three years.

1934 saw the big revival.

The newly formed Hythe Venetian Fete Society took on its organisation and the current Society's Minute Books date back to this occasion.

The Society volunteers organised a Fete which took on the form we know today – the presence on the water of the Hythe Mayor and the other Mayors of the Cinque Ports; two parades – daylight and illuminated; and fireworks – all paid for by public subscription.

The Fete was then held annually until the outbreak of the second world war. The Fete on the 30th August of that year was the last public event held in Hythe until after the war.

In 1946 the Fete recommenced. No Fete was held in 1947 due to lack of materials, but it was held annually from 1948 to 1954.

Following this, due to the escalating cost and time taken to organise, the Fete became a biennial event. It has been held on the 3rd Wednesday of August every second year since.

In 1980 the construction of the Prospect Road "bypass" (now the main A259 through Hythe) meant that year's fete could not be held. It was delayed until 1983 and reverted to the odd years until 2019.