THE East Cowes bicentennial celebrations were in full swing over the bank holiday weekend, with a series of spectacular events taking place in the town.

Entertainment included a Victorian-themed fun day, horse-drawn procession and a seafront music festival — all to celebrate the 200th birthdays of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

In the build up to the weekend, East Cowes residents were busy adorning the town with two miles of bunting, with the help of the Hullabaloo team, WI and the fire service.

Friday saw the unveiling of the new Osborne House Birthday Trail ­— exhibiting the gifts exchanged between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert ­— shedding

a whole new light on their passionate relationship

.

On the same day, Osborne also presented a

life-size replica of the Queen made of cake

­— a bona fide Victoria sponge.

In the afternoon, the mayors of Coburg and East Town Council opened the Queen Victoria Trail, followed by the laying of flowers at the Abdul Karim Stone by his descendants.

The evening saw the opening of the Victorian Grand Bicentennial Exhibition and a civic reception attended by international guests and local councillors — including the Syed family, descendants of Abdul Karim.

On Saturday, the day began with the Grand Exhibition ­— the Queen Victoria Lifeboat was on display­ — which more than 1,000 peopled viewed over the weekend, followed by a Victorian Day of music, children's swing boats and morris dancing.

In the evening, the town show, The Victorian Time Machine was a big hit, organised by Bob Hooper of the Amy White Theatre.

On Sunday, the RNLI held an open day at the inshore lifeboat centre.

A grand procession took place, from the Sovereign Gate at Osborne through the town to the Esplanade, complete with a horse and carriages, vintage cars and marching bands.

From midday, the Esplanade Festival took place, with live music on two stages and more than 40 charity and trade stalls.

More than 1,500 people attended, and were encouraged to wear Victorian dress.

On Monday, there was a community beach clean, followed by a talk on Marie of Edinburgh, Queen Victoria's grandchild and the last queen of Romania.

East Cowes Cllr Karl Love, one of the organisers, said: "The weekend was a huge success, and one which rightfully keeps East Cowes and our Island on the world map."

Tracy Reardon, acting chair of the East Cowes Community Partnership said: "It was a fantastic community effort with lots of fun, entertainment and culture. Taking two years of planning to achieve this has resulted in a splash of colour which our town deserved and is long over due."

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