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Summer Sun and Family Fun

The summer months on the Isle of Wight are packed with things to do. From the Island's award winning blue-flag beaches at Ryde, Sandown and Shanklin to its thrilling attractions and festivals, you're guaranteed to find the perfect family activity.

Blackgang Chine - Pirates, Cowboys and Teddy Bears
In the fantasy world of Blackgang Chine, once the favourite spot of smugglers and pirates, every Wednesday evening throughout August the park will be staying open late for a special Pirate Party with live entertainment, delicious BBQ, and a spectacular musical firework display. You can also travel back in time to a Cowboy Shoot-Out in Frontier-Land every Saturday in August, or relax and enjoy a Teddy Bears Picnic on 1st July.

For more information about these events and for details of Balckgang Chine activities Tel. 01983 730052, or visit www.blackgangchine.com

Isle of Wight Zoo - Big Cat Week
Adopt an animal for free entry during Big Cat Week (23rd-27th July), and you'll be adopting one of the stars of ITV's 'Tiger Island'. Marvel at the majestic tigers as well as a whole range of other animals looked after by the zoo.

For more information visit www.isleofwightzoo.com or telephone 01983 405562.

Carisbrooke Castle - Making History Come To Life
Children will love dressing up as fictional characters such as Robin Hood to learn archery, during a weekend of 'Heroes and Villains' (5th and 6th August). Your family can also sample 'The Worst Days Out in History' in a fun look at the smelliest, goriest and most gruesome aspects of history (Sunday 19th and Monday 20th August), or watch in awe at the bravery of real-life knights colliding at speeds of up to 60mph in the 'Grand Medieval Joust' (25th -27th August).

For more Carisbrooke Castle events and for further information on these activities Tel. 01983 522107, or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk

Isle of Wight Steam Railway - A Day Out With Thomas
Thomas the Tank Engine is making a stop at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway in Havenstreet. With magic shows, Punch and Judy, clowns, and not to forget Thomas himself, this will be a fun day for all the family (27th - 31st July).

For more information about the Isle of Wight Steam Railway visit www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk or telephone 01983 882204

Quay Arts Summer School
Let your children showcase their twinkle toes during 'Dance Week' (23-27 July, ages 6 to 15), create unique silver jewellery out of metal clay (16/17 August, ages 11 to15), or release their inner performer during Drama Week (20-24 August, ages 9 to 12). School has never been so much fun!

To book a place on these courses visit www.quayarts.org, or telephone 01983 822490.

Carnival Time
Forget Notting Hill and head to the Isle of Wight for your carnival fix this summer. With dozens of Island towns hosting events throughout the summer months, beginning with Newport Carnival in July and culminating with the hugely popular Ryde Illuminated Procession in September, you'll be spoiled for choice as to where to go.

Ryde Carnival is believed to be the oldest established carnival in the country, dating back to Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1887, and today's event is as popular as it was over a century ago. Featuring over 2,000 performers in a variety of magnificent costumes, and admired by about 50,000 onlookers, this is a spectacle of sound and colour not to be missed.

For a list of provisional carnival dates and times see www.sandowncarnival.com and visit www.rydecarnival.co.uk for more information about the Ryde processions and history of the event.

Regattas
With shore sports, aquatic events, live music and spectacular firework displays, the Islands regattas are a great family day out. Visit Ryde on the 6th to 8th July, Sandown on 12th August and Shanklin on 15th August.

Thrills & Spills
Visitors can enjoy a whole range of salt water activities from dinghy sailing and pleasure cruising to sailing and surfing. During Skandia Cowes Week (4-11 August, www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk) kids can get out on the water for free with 'trysail'. Teenagers will enjoy the more extreme 'have a go' taster sessions of paragliding and surfing held during the White Air Extreme Sports Festival (27 August to 3 September, Tel. 01983 760553, www.whiteair.co.uk), and for those who would rather observe than take part there is the action packed UIM Powerboat P1 British Grand Prix of the Sea (24-26 August, www.powerboatp1.com).