Hastings Old Town Carnival Week
This year’s Hastings Old Town Week takes place between Saturday 27 July to Sunday 5 August 2018
A week of festivities - everything from a free beach concert to a spectacular carnival
Listed below are 2018 events -
Friday 27 July - Old Town Criers Competition 2018
On the stage at Reeves Corner, High Street
The Annual Old Town Criers Competition will be opened by the Mayor of Hastings who will make the first shout. Come and watch or have a go yourself and try to beat the reigning champion. Men & Ladies competition. Prizes of Case of Wine for both Lady and Gentleman winners. Register at Reeves Corner at 7.00 for 7.30pm start.
Start time 7pm to 8.30pm
Saturday 28 July - Tug o Warr 2018
Lifeboat Station, The Stade
Teams of 8 men or 8 women (£20 per tema). This is a very popular event that takes place outside the Lifeboat Station. Entry forms from The Anchor, George Street.
Start time: 10.30am to 12.30pm
Twilight Smugglers Walk from 28 July
Stade Walk from 28 July
Foyle's Walk from 29 July
Hastings Ghost Walks from 29 July
Twittens and Cat Creeps from 29 July
Monday 30 July - Seaboot Race 2018
Courthouse Street
In memory of Peter Trickett, an Old Towner who died in 2002. Fastest runner wearing Seaboots and a top hat along the length of Courthouse Street, round a lobster pot and back. Timed certificates presented to all entrants. Adult and Children’s races. The winner is presented with one of Peter Trickett’s walking sticks, with silver plaque with ladies and gents names engraved. Walking Sticks to be held for one year. Sponsored by John Bray & Sons. Another High Street Traders event.
Start time 6pm to 8pm
Old Town Treasure Trail 2018
Winkle Island, Rock-a- Nore
Register at Winkle Island by 6.30pm, finish at the Lord Nelson. Fancy dress a must! Teams race round the Old Town with collecting boxes to find answers to questions, which are all in pubs, of course! Why not take part in a tradition of Old Town Carnival Week – all great fun! Prizes for all! Adults only. Raising funds for Macmillan Council Support.
Start time 6.30pm to 10pm
Exotic and Unusual Plants Walk from 30 July
Exploring the Lost Roads from 30 July
Tuesday 31 July - Crown Lane Bike Race 2018
Crown Lane, off All Saints Street
The BIKE RACE is 30 years old!! First held in 1988 as a memorial to Jimmy Read killed by the 1987 hurricane. Come and hear the story and ride a bike. Pedal power alone! All welcome, just turn up and pay a donation to the starter. The Bike Race has no organisers. The timekeepers, flagman and all other helpers turn up year after year to make the event happen. It is not advisable to bring dogs to this event and young children should be under the supervision of adults. Please give generously to the “bucket rattlers” collecting for local charities and good causes and in this anniversary year make a bid for the limited edition T shirt [only 30 available]
Start time 5.30pm to 8pm
An Architectural Stroll in Hastings Old Town from 31 July
Old Town Walk from 31 July
Wednesday 1 August - Pram Race 2018
The Cutter Pub, Marine Parade
Register by 6pm on Tuesday 31st July at The Cutter Pub, opposite the boating lake Due to the ever increasing size of this event, all teams must now be entered by 6pm on Tuesday 31st July at The Cutter Pub. To be considered for judging, teams must arrive by 7pm, with the start time of the race to be between 7.30-8pm. Get your team together (with decorated pram or something, of course!) for a great night that’s often described as one of the best in Old Town Week! Lots of money is raised for local charities by the teams who enter in this pub crawl. Each team has their own theme and they decorate their pram and teams accordingly.
This is a strictly over 18’s event. Any questions please call 01424-272099. Proceeds to H.O.T.Carnival Association.
Start time 7.30pm to 11pm
Lost Pubs and Breweries from 1 August
Thursday 2 August - Whelk Eating Competition 2018
On the stage at Reeves Corner, High Street
The 7th Annual Competition for the title of the “Hastings Champion Whelk Eater”. Give a fiver donation to Hastings Lifeboat and try your luck at breaking the time record for eating a pint of fresh Hastings Whelks. The Winner receives an engraved Cup and a unique Crown to be held for one year. Will Simon do it again? Sponsored by White’s Seafood & Steak Bar. Another High Street Traders event
Start time 5pm to 6.30pm
Friday 3 August - Onion Eating Competition
On the stage at Reeves Corner, High Street
First Time Ever in Old Town Carnival Week. Fastest person to eat a raw onion and to whistle “Sussex by the Sea”. £1 a go. Best Effort wins a case of mixed wines. Most Tears also wins a case of mixed wine.
Start time 4pm to 5pm
Friday 3 August - Bangers & Mash Blow-Out
Courthouse Street
Back by popular demand – only £5.50 from your host “Deeday. A Street Party with a difference. Have succulent local homemade Pork Sausages with creamy mashed potato, baked beans and rich onion gravy and a complimentary bottle of French beer or water. Compliments of Peter, Jo and crew. Only 150 seats available, so it’s best to book in advance. Tickets from The History House, 21 Courthouse Street, or Deeday’s yard in Courthouse Street. Come along and meet the locals and chill out in Courthouse Street’s historic surroundings. Another High Street Traders event.
Start time 4.30pm to 6pm
Friday 3 August - Old Town Gurning Competition
On the stage at Reeves Corner, High Street
In memory of Popeye. After the success of last year’s event, this is now a regular feature of Old Town Week. Do you have an “ugly mug” Or are you good at pulling faces? Come and find out. Lindy will present the winner with a unique trophy. The event will be hosted by Keith and Deeday to fund the cost of a memorial bench in memory of John the Cobbler. A HOTCarnival and High Street Traders joint event
Start time 6pm to 7pm
Saturday 4 August - Carnival Day Afternoon Events
Starting at The Stade Open Space
Opening of Carnival Day at The Stade with the Sea Court and the Mayor of Hastings
There will be events on The Stade all afternoon including music, circus displays, dance lessons and various stalls.
Start time 12noon to 5pm
Grand Carnival Procession
Rock-a-Nore
Grand Carnival Procession Theme “Anniversaries”
Assembly Winch Road by Lifeboat House for Carnival Courts. Lorries initially assemble in Rock-a-Nore Car Park, then at 4pm move to form up in Rock-a-Nore Road. Pedestrian groups Rock-a-Nore Road and the southern end of All Saints Street. 5pm Grand Carnival Parade starts at Rock-a- Nore
Start time 5pm to 8pm
At Dusk: Fireworks from the Castle
Hastings Castle, Castle Hill Road
Start time 8.30pm to 9pm
Sunday 5 Augsut - Fancy Dress Litter Pick
Stade Open Space
Join Cllr. James Bacon at the Stade open Space for a Hastings Old Town Carnival Week tidy up. Fancy dress is encouraged for this family friendly event and a certificate for the best dressed will be awarded.
Start time 10am to 12noon
Saturday 4 August and Sunday 5 August - Living History at 135 All Saints Street 2018
Step through the wee door at 135 All Saints Street and journey back in time to a forgotten and truly magical world. This 16th century merchant’s house and one of the most complete Tudor houses in Hastings Old Town. This magical house lit by candle light, along with its secret garden filled with giant plants, is an experience like no other. Come and step into the pages of a Grimm’s Fairytale – you’ll be amazed. Old Town Mortuary The house also has some secrets of its own, for up until the 1950s the rear wing was used as an undertaker’s workshop, cadavers being stored in the adjoining cellar room. Two elderly Hastings fisherman have recently recounted their memories about when as boys they would come to The Wilderness (as the area behind upper All Saints Street was known then) and peer through the back windows of the house to spot the bodies laid out, then run away.
Start times 11am to 5pm
OPEN HOUSE – Living History Entry fee £3 adult, £2 children (under 16) payable on the door Donation to OHPS
More events can be found at the Old Town Carnival Week website or pick up a brochure.
