Eastbourne is recovering from its second busy Bank Holiday weekend in a row attracting tens of thousands of visitors for a packed four days of events with visitors travelling from as far as China, Canada and Hong Kong.
Visitors gathered in Eastbourne’s Princes Park on Friday for a free Picnic in the Park event with a huge screen broadcasting the Royal Wedding followed by the crowning of the Will and Kate lookalikes, live music and dancing. Crowds gathered with picnic blankets, chairs and tents from as early as 10am with visitors praising the town for staging a ‘thoroughly entertaining day’ and enjoying the ‘great party atmosphere.’
Eastbourne Borough Council Events Development Manager Mike Marchant said “What another fantastic weekend we have enjoyed here in Eastbourne! The Royal Wedding Picnic in the Park surpassed all expectations on Friday. Not only did the sun shine for the big day but the crowds came out in force to witness the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton and it was brilliant to watch everybody celebrating together. Magnificent Motors attracted over 600 exhibitors on Saturday and Sunday with visitors enjoying browsing the free vehicle display, listening to live music and taking in more sunshine! Special thanks must go to volunteers from Eastbourne Historic Vehicle Club and East Sussex Omnibus who did a sterling job in stewarding over the weekend.
“With the Tourist Information Centre now open on Sundays and Bank Holidays too, the tens of thousands of visitors who came to Eastbourne could easily find out about all that’s on, including the Continental Market, Meads Music Festival, Eastbourne Festival and more!”
Magnificent Motors, Eastbourne’s free motoring spectacular, moved to a new location at Princes Park this year and the additional space saw a record 671 exhibitors park up over Saturday and Sunday, including cars that dated back more than 100 years.
The western seafront was packed with visitors enjoying the packed programme of events taking place too, with the French and Continental Market offering a taste of the continental while Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band performed an afternoon concert at the Bandstand.
Chairman of Eastbourne Hospitality Association Marco Giorgi said “Full credit must go to Eastbourne Borough Council for really pushing the boat out this weekend. The Royal Wedding event and Magnificent Motors were both very well attended with a tremendous atmosphere from everyone out and about enjoying themselves.”
Visitors who enjoyed browsing the automobile timeline at Magnificent Motors can look forward to more motoring events coming up this summer in Eastbourne too, including the Jaguar South Downs run on Sunday 29 May as part of new event Fiesta, Lions Motorcycles on 5 June, and MG South Downs Run on 4 September.
Those interested in viewing classic automobiles can also browse old fire engines and police cars on display at the 999 Emergency Services Display from 2-3 July or hop aboard a Classic Bus on 7 August for Eastbourne Bus Running Day.
With May bringing even more events to the UK’s sunniest place, including the Green Fayre this Saturday at Gildredge Park, Eastbourne Cycling Festival from 21-22 May and Eastbourne Fiesta from 28-29 May, the town is looking forward to welcoming thousands more visitors over the coming month.
For more information on what’s on in Eastbourne go to the VisitEastbourne website or call 0871 663 0031.
