What a lovely weekend we had for beach sand sculpture and workshops at Redcar Kite Festival.
Redcar Kite Festival returned to the skies above Majuba Beach this year on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June. Following the success of last year’s inaugural event by Redcar and Cleveland Council which attracted more than 17,000 visitors, the free family-friendly festival supported by Tees Valley Combined Authority once again welcomed some of the largest and most spectacular kites in the world courtesy of Northern Kite Group.
The event ran from 10am-4pm both days with displays to music; stunt kites; kites ballets; beginners corner and giant inflatable character kites.
More than 33,000 people visited this year which was incredible and lovely that the final day landed on Father’s Day!
We were very happy to be back on the beach doing what we love best, creating and imagining in sand. Sand sculpture is where it all began for Jamie Wardley and Sand In Your Eye.
We were asked to create a beach sand sculpture and run some free sand sculpture workshops on the beach. We arrived in our electric van. Wherever we can to cut carbon, we try to use our electric vehicles to make our events as sustainable and low carbon as possible. Everything fitted in, it was quite a squeeze to pack all the equipment we needed for the beach sand sculpture and workshops.
We also wanted to bring our new photo board we have created and we are glad we did, it proved very popular over the two day event. We have created a series of these boards for hire to complement most of the events we offer, so if you would be interested in adding one on to your event, please let us know.
While Jamie Wardley started work on the sand sculpture, Jonathan and Amy got to work setting up for the sand sculpture workshops. Setting up is hard work, lots of shovelling and collecting water from the sea. The key to sand sculpture especially on the beach is to keep it wet. Beach sand drains of water very quickly so you need plenty of water to be able to keep working on the sculpture and to reduce the risk of it collapsing. After a few hours set up, we were ready to begin. It’s always great to come to Redcar and we love running workshops as we get to work with some fantastic families to help them create some great sand art.
Sand sculpture workshops are a way for families and children to be creative in an accessible way. You don’t need to be an artist to create something wonderful. We try to keep it simple when it comes to the tools we use in the workshops, so if someone really wants to have a go another time, to buy the kit would be inexpensive.
The kites were absolutely fantastic and made a very colourful display on the beach. We would like to thank Redcar and Cleveland Council for inviting us to be part of such a great event.
Some of the other things happening at the kite festival were
- Kite Displays: Breathtaking performances by the Northern Kite Group, featuring choreographed routines, stunt kites, and impressive inflatable designs soaring over Majuba Beach.
- Workshops: Free kite-making sessions, allowing attendees to craft and fly their own kites. Additional art and craft activities will be available, fostering creativity and hands-on engagement.
- Live Performances: Street theatre and music that celebrate Redcar’s coastal heritage, enhancing the festive atmosphere throughout the weekend.
- Food and Market Stalls: A variety of food vendors and market stalls offering local and regional products, providing a taste of the area’s culinary delights.
