Isle of Wight's Sandown Regatta back this weekend

With it, visitors will witness the revival of a much-loved tradition; wearing a hat.

“The town’s been busy making hats for the last few weeks, and it would be great fun if everyone could don their favourite headwear for this year’s regatta,” said organiser, Paul Coueslant, of Sandown Carnival.  

Big hats in the style of legendary hat maker, Gertrude Shilling, are now on display in High Street shop windows.

A big hat made from ties on show at Sandown Carnival shop, by artist Joel Lines. (Image: Sandown Regatta)

These were made with the help of the public, at workshops funded by the Arts Council England Lottery Fund.

Primary school pupils and care home residents have also been at work, making environmentally friendly seed paper hats which can be planted after use.

They will all feature in Sunday's grand regatta hat parade on Sandown beach at 2.15pm.

Regatta seed paper hats made by pupils of Broadlea Primary School. (Image: Sandown Regatta)

“In the decades after the war, it was the done thing to wear a silly hat to the regatta, and so many people have told us it’s a tradition they miss,” said Paul.

“This year, we’ll have a hat stall on Pier Street, just like there used to be, where you can pick up a seed paper hat to wear for the day, or you can just join in the fun by wearing a hat of your own.”

Tomorrow (Sunday) will feature all-day entertainment with Joe Plumb and the Horse Box Theatre Company, magic from David Randini, and a Punch and Judy show.

DJ Paul Holbrook of Soundwaves Entertainment will provide music and fun at the Regatta Beach Arena near Eastern Gardens, and there will be an Esplanade street market between 10am and 4pm.

Today (Saturday), a Regatta Dog Show is coming to Sandham Gardens between 10am and 1pm, followed by a samba drumming and flag-making session with the New Carnival Company at 2pm.