Hythe Venetian Fete
A floating extravaganza of family fun with a procession of decorated floats, live music, entertainment and fireworks at dusk. Events start at 5pm followed by procession of floats at 7pm and illuminated after dark.
Following the opening ceremony by the Mayor of Hythe the daylight parade of the imaginatively decorated floats will begin. The parade of the 28 floats is divided into 4 sections: Juvenile Societies; Small Societies and Clubs; Large Societies and Clubs; and National Societies, Open and Commercial, led by a band, with each section competing for a monetary prize and a silver trophy. There are also prizes and cups for the best daylight tableau, best floral, best dressed rowers, best illuminated and of course the coveted silver replica of the Cinque Port Ship awarded to the best overall entry of the Fete.
After the daylight parade there is an interval for spectators to enjoy the funfair, stalls and refreshments available all around the site.
At 8.50pm, as dusk falls, the spectacular firework display will begin. When everyone has got their breath back after the best firework display Hythe has ever witnessed, hundreds of fairy lights are lit across the bridges and amongst the trees and the tableaux, now illuminated, parade again presenting a fresh and fascinating picture, magically reflected in the water. At the end of this parade the Hythe Venetian Fete Society can congratulate itself for again providing a truly memorable spectacular for Hythe that those visitors from all over the country and abroad have come to love and enjoy.
The Fete is organised by the Society’s Executive Committee consisting of 16 volunteers and no paid staff and on Fete day calls upon up to 300 volunteers to man gates, car parks and act as stewards etc.
The Fete costs over £130,000 to produce with most of this money coming from ticket sales, but the Society does rely on its main sponsors for their generous financial support and the sponsors of the prizes and entertainment programme on the days leading up to Fete day. Without this financial assistance and the support of the volunteers, the competitors who spend so much time in preparing their floats the Fete would not be possible.
So when you come to the Fete on 17th August 2022 not only enjoy a wonderful evening’s entertainment but also spare a thought for all the volunteers who have made it possible.
