Southsea Show Makes A Comeback

5 June 2013, 13:37 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Six years after being scrapped, the Southsea Show is returning this summer.

It was launched in 1990 and attracted thousands of visitors.

The council stopped running it in 2007 because of falling visitor numbers and rising costs, but a group made up of local venues and residents have got together to bring it back. It includes The Guildhall, The Kings, New Theatre Royal, Wedgewood Rooms, The Cellars and Love Southsea.

A statement from the group says:

'On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August, Southsea Common will become a fun packed showground once more, filled with entertainment for the whole family.

'The Big Top Tent will be the focal point for a selection of talent both local and national, to thrill and entertain you.

'Carnival workshops for the kids will take place all day on Saturday in association with the IOW New Carnival Company, culmi-nating with a Grand Carnival Procession around the site on Sunday afternoon which will involve the kids showing off their handy work from the workshops, alongside professional carnival performers, so come along and get involved.

'On Saturday, the climax of the day will be a good old fashioned 'End of The Pier Show' to take you back to the good old days of the 1970s with some classic family entertainment.

'On Sunday, Cirque Bijou, who helped launch the 2012 Olympics and have toured with Take That, will close the weekend with a brand new piece of thrilling circus! Before you sing along to your hearts content as we screen the sing-a-long-a version of a classic family musical.

'The Tom Prince Cancer Trust Stage will present a selection of the very best local covers bands during both days.

'The show will also feature a Giant Tea Tent, featuring baking demonstrations and workshops, storytelling for kids and a traditional tea room selling locally made cakes, with entertainment from local singer-songwriters.

'There will be gardening demonstrations and competitions, community stalls, a fun fair with carousel and bumper cars, petting zoo, sports activities, dog show, cider bus, milk shake wagon and a host of different food stalls.

'The Market Marquee will offer the chance to browse the wares of a huge range of local traders, whilst buskers wander among you.

'The Beer Tent and Real Ale Bar will be filled with Folk, Bluegrass, Country and Roots music for the whole weekend.'

They're expecting over 20,000 people to go along this year.