Derek Sandy Exclusive

Isle of Wight Jazz Festival April 2010
 
The Isle of Wight Jazz Festival is a fun weekend of jazz featuring top female singers. Performances take place at venues including the Jazz Village Salisbury Gardens, the Ventnor Towers Hotel and the Ventnor Winter Gardens.

This year sees MOBO award winner and female saxophonist YolanDa Brown perform. Please visit the festival website for full programme and venue details.

Isle of Wight Walking Festival May 2010
 
The annual Isle of Wight Walking Festival stretches over two weeks and, despite its modest-sized setting on this little southern isle, has grown to become the biggest in the UK, with over 300 walks to choose from.
The walks on the agenda cater for all ages and capabilities, including the visually impaired and wheelchair users. There are themed walks for those who need to exercise their imagination as well as their legs: past walks have included the Honey for Tea walk, which stops off at one of the island's leading honey producers for a talk, a taste and a cuppa; and the Seven Hills Elite Challenge Walk, an epic 27-mile hike taking in some stunning scenery.

Whichever you choose, locals are on hand to fill you with facts and show off all the Rights of Way, and as there are more footpaths than roads, this could take up the entire fortnight.

If the weather is on your side, (and it should be in May), this event is a fantastic (and efficient) way to explore the island's main attractions
 
 

Isle of Wight Music Festival 12th-14th June 2010

The reborn Isle of Wight Festival welcomes top bands and 50,000 music fans to Seaclose Park in Newport each year. The beautiful island setting and impressive array of artists who appear see it frequently billed one of the country's top festivals.

Continuing to attract the biggest names in music, the 2010 festival is headlined by Jay Z, with The Strokes, Blondie , Pink and Orbital among the other artists to receive top billing

The Isle of Wight Festivals that took place in the late Sixties are legendary, featuring performances from Bob Dylan and The Who, The Doors and Joni Mitchell, culminating in 1970 when 600,000 hippies descended on the island to see Jimi Hendrix perform what was to be his penultimate concert.

The kids' zone has children's entertainers, storytelling, circus skills workshops, arts and crafts and a funfair.

Round The Island Race 20th June 2010
 
JPMorgan Asset Management Round The Island Race is the largest and most famous yachting race in the world. The race starts and finishes at Cowes and covers a 50 mile course around the Isle of Wight. Some of the biggest names in the sailing world compete with weekend sailors and family crews in this annual yachting extravaganza.

Cowes Week August 2010
 
Cowes Week is probably the most well known of all Isle of Wight events, with around 1000 boats and 8500 competitors taking part in this world famous sailing regatta. With its exciting racing schedule and superb shore side activities, Cowes Week offers something for everyone.

Garlic Festival Saturday August 2010
 
The Garlic Festival is held at Newchurch Showground, next to the Fighting Cocks pub at Arreton on the Newport to Sandown road. As well as the world famous Isle of Wight garlic, the very best of Island produce is also showcased, with over 300 stalls selling food and a diverse range of arts and crafts. Live music acts and lots more.

Cowes Powerboat Festival August 2010
 
This year's famous 180-nautical mile Cowes-Torquay-Cowes non-stop powerboat race is scheduled to go straight across the notoriously challenging Lyme Bay, turning within the bay in Torquay, back around the Ore Stone Rock and back to Cowes. In addition, there will be many other classes of powerboat taking part in races on the Solent including the Cowes Classic - a challenging race to Poole, travelling twice round the bay and back to Cowes, a distance of around 70 miles.

Isle of Wight Bestival September 2010
 

Sunday Best's Rob da Bank presents a weekend of excellent music at Bestival, held at the Isle Of Wight's Robin Hill Country Adventure Park. The boutique festival is guaranteed to give you more smiles than any other this summer.

Headlining in 2009 are Kraftwerk, Massive Attack and Elbow, with further highlights including Lily Allen, The Horrors, Fleet Foxes, Doves, Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip and La Roux, as well as a host of DJs including Derrick Carter, Carl Cox, Fabio & Grooverider and 2manydjs.

Bestival is one of the last festivals of the summer and takes place in one of the country's most magical parkland sites, officially the sunniest place in the UK. This 88-acre park of natural woodland is the perfect home for this unique festival with its combination of international stars and intimate atmosphere.

Small and perfectly formed as it is, tickets for Bestival are limited, so be quick!

Isle of Wight Cycling Festival September 2010
 

More than 4500 cyclists take part in the Isle of Wight Cycling Festival. Try the hardcore Hills Killer Mountain Bike challenge, or the Sink or Swim Race, where participants build floating bikes and attempt to cross the river without sinking.

Isle of Wight Steam Railway Wizard week October 2010

Children can change into creepy costumes and marvel at magic shows during this spooky steam-train ride along the Isle of Wight. Off the train there's the chance to explore enchanting woodland…
 
 
 

Halloween Fun at the Isle of Wight Zoo October 2010
 

Join creepy creatures at the Isle of Wight Zoo for some half-term Halloween fun. As well as the zoo's usual attractions, Halloween-themed craft activities are on hand to keep children entertained, while the animals also receive special Halloween-inspired presents.