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Regatta Hat Factory Coming To Sandown

(c) Julian Winslow

After the success of The Great Sandown Hat Revival in 2023, Sandown Carnival is offering everyone the chance to be part of a hat making extravaganza for the town’s Regatta this summer.

The Regatta Hat Factory will open its doors on Sandown High Street from Wednesday 17 July, with budding hatmakers able to drop in for free, creative inspiration over a whole four weeks leading up to Regatta day in August.
 
"We were delighted to bring back the tradition of hat-wearing at Sandown Bay Regatta last year," says Carnival chair Paul Coueslant. 
 
"Our hat making workshops supported by Arts Council England were incredibly popular and often oversubscribed.
 
"It was clear the community wanted more, so we’re really stepping up what we can offer the town’s residents and visitors this year."

Island and mainland artists have come on board as part of the hat making fun, with a brief to create spectacular headwear for the Grand Regatta Hat Parade on Sunday 11 August.

Sandown Carnival is working in partnership with Boojum & Snark to set up the Hat Factory, and the project manager is Tracy Mikich.

"Last year, we saw some amazing giant hats inspired by legendary hat wearer Gertrude Shilling, the Mascot of Ascot, and this year we're turning the spotlight on Sandown," Tracy explains. 

"We've invited creative practitioners to capture the essence of Sandown's heritage, culture, and unique nature and come up with a new collection of big, eye-catching headwear.

"The results will be shown off at the summer carnival parades as well as the Regatta, and they’ll feature in an exhibition at the Quay Arts Centre later this year."

The Regatta Hat Factory at 105 High Street, Sandown will be open from Wednesday 17 July, Wednesdays to Sundays noon to 8pm, through to the weekend of Sandown Bay Regatta on 10 and 11 August.

Groups can apply to book a session by contacting hello@boojumandsnark.co.uk

Further photo credit: Stephenson family and Sandown Carnival.

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