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Hythe Venetian Fete
Hythe Venetian Fete – Wednesday 17 August 2022, for ticket information visit Tickets 2022 – Hythe Venetian Fete 2022
We hope you enjoy some details below about previous Venetian Fetes.
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Hythe with the other 13 Mayors of the Confederation of the Cinque Ports, who have come to Hythe to enjoy this unique water spectacular, all robed and chained, will arrive by float at the Centre Stage of the Royal Military Canal, thus heralding the start of this years Hythe Venetian Fete.
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.
Hythe Venetian Fete 1890 – 2019
The Hythe Venetian Fete is a tableaux of decorated floats in various themes held on the Royal Military Canal in the town of Hythe every second year on the third Wednesday in August. The Fete attracts an audience of thousands from far and wide to see the two processions of up to 40 floats, first in daylight, and then again after dark when illuminated. At dusk between the two parades there is a grand firework display.
Although aquatic events were held on the canal during the middle of the 19th century it was not until 1890 that Edward Palmer (founder of the Hythe Reporter) suggested a parade of illuminated boats on the canal and on Wednesday 27th August of that year the first parade took place. Palmer coined the name ‘Venetian Fete’ when he reported the event in his newspaper and the name stuck and has been used ever since.
For further information about the Hythe Venetian Fate please visit their page.
For further information about the Hythe Venetian Fete, please visit their website.