Ventnor Fringe has finished for another year after a successful ten days showing a wide variety of arts and acts. 

The festival started last Saturday, and by Monday the team had sold more than 10,000 tickets for the first time in Fringe history.

The town was abuzz thanks to the popular event, which had locations dotted all over the place, from the launderette to the park.

Many of the shows were complete sell outs.

Isle of Wight County Press: An art installation of mushrooms and toadstools created in Ventnor Park by the Better Days Cafe team.An art installation of mushrooms and toadstools created in Ventnor Park by the Better Days Cafe team. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Now, you can vote for your favourite Ventnor Fringe act, to decide the winner of the audience choice award (click here to vote)

Isle of Wight County Press: Let's Circus. Picture by Julian Winslow.Let's Circus. Picture by Julian Winslow. (Image: Julian Winslow)

One popular act was Let's Circus, which operates from the Magpie Tent.

This year there was a nautical theme and the performers going rogue as pirates looking for treasure.

Not only was it funny, the acts were impressive, including unicyling, high wire artistry and the popular giant balloon act!  

Isle of Wight County Press: Cleopatra Higgins wowed the crowd in The Aretha Franklin Story.Cleopatra Higgins wowed the crowd in The Aretha Franklin Story. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Over three days, the Big Top hosted the fabulous Cleopatra Higgins (she of late '90s girl band Cleopatra "Comin' Atcha" fame).

She's now the star of The Aretha Franklin Story (and also tours as the star of The Whitney Houston Story).

With a big voice and a personality to match, this soul singer swiftly had the audience up on their feet for a classy show they'll never forget. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Magician Angus Baskerville at Ventnor Fringe.Magician Angus Baskerville at Ventnor Fringe. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Over at St Catherine's School on St Boniface Road, magician Angus Baskerville made sure his audience was well and truly baffled with his sleight of hand magic.

As the tricks twisted and turned and got more and more complex, the audience was left scratching their heads. It was impressive stuff!  

This school hall was also the home to the Molly Downer Musical, which told an interesting and heart-rending story about the Island's last witch.

Local actors from Tide Nor Time Players featured, with Natalie De Gruchy the stand-out performer in this ensemble.

Isle of Wight County Press: Pianist and rapper Jay Eatwell performing at Ventnor Winter Gardens.Pianist and rapper Jay Eatwell performing at Ventnor Winter Gardens. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

There was a lot to see for free, including a chance to enjoy a set by pianist Jay Eatwell, from Channel 4's The Piano. He performed at Ventnor Winter Gardens across two evenings. 

The park bandstand hosted several local acts, and there were busking areas and pop-ups around the town.

Reggie's Retro put on a music quiz in the Big Top bar to round-off the Fringe proceedings for 2023.

 

With more than 100 events to choose from, Ventnor was the place to be over the past ten days.