Sheppey Summer Spectacular is back
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Sheppey’s Summer Spectacular is returning to the Island this bank holiday Sunday (August 30) after a two-year break and with new organisers.
Previously, Sheerness Freemasons masterminded the event which boasted arena attractions such as medieval jousting, the Wheel of Death and motorcycle stunt display teams.
They staged it at Sheppey Rugby Club in 2017, Sheppey Sports Ground at Halfway in 2019 and on the Sheerness campus of the Oasis Academy in 2024.
Now the Rotary Club of Minster on Sea has taken over and switched the venue to Barton’s Point coastal park, Sheerness, and with free entry.
The Rotary Summer Spectacular 2026 kicks off at noon with a performance from the newly launched Isle of Sheppey Band following an introduction by Sheppey’s first Isle of Sheppey Town Crier Bruce Horton.
There will be live music throughout the day from Sheppey FM 92.2, Mike Harris, Gianni Scalera and The Jury and Sheppey’s Rolling Stones’ tribute band Stoned.
The Kent Owl Academy from Kent Life Museum will be flying birds of prey and there will be arena displays from the Island Allstars Baton Twirlers and the Euphoric Twirlers.
There are plans for a tug of war contest (£12 for teams of six) and a fun family dog show plus a funfair with merry-go-round, Master Blaster ride and bouncy castle from C & J Attractions & Fun Fair Rides.
Sheppey’s model railway will be running, model planes will be flying (weather permitting) and there will be water activities on the boating lake hosted by Sheppey Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets and The Boathouse Cafe - Barton’s Point.
Attractions on the 40-acre park will include smack-the-rat, crazy golf, coconut shy, Nerf gun obstacle course, pony rides and more than 100 stalls.
Visitors will also have plenty of food options including cakes and ice creams, a barbecue, Caribbean street food, pizza and a hot dog and burger van.
To wash that down, there will be a cider tent, a gin bar and a visit from the Air of the Dog inflatable pub as well as The Boathouse Cafe. Additional toilets have also been ordered.
It will be the first time the council-owned park has seen such a big event since 2018 when the Sheppey Pirates staged their final junior pirates’ day.
When Swale council refused to renew the lease on the Boathouse café, all large-scale activities came to a halt, except for annual visits from Santus Circus.
The spectacular is the brainchild of the Rotary Club’s president elect Simon Mulchinock. He and his team have been working on the event since April.
He said: “The Rotary Club has always staged events to raise funds for charity. Over the years that has included the successful Donkey Derby at Halfway and, more recently, our annual beer festival.”
But he added: “I wanted to get back to free fun days which can be enjoyed by all the family. We were originally going to call it the Sheppey Festival but that name clashed with the Festival of Sheppey in June.
“We toyed with calling it the Barton’s Point Big Bash but then the Freemasons said they were happy for us to take over the name of their Sheppey Spectacular.”
He admitted: “We have been astounded at the reaction. We mentioned it on social media and were inundated with offers of help and requests for stalls - although we could still do with a few more volunteers to help marshal the event on the day.”
Club vice-chairman David Watson told Kent Online: “By holding this event, all the community groups get to promote themselves, businesses get a chance to make some money and it all builds community spirit.
“It’s going to be an amazing day. I hope lots of people turn out.”
Sponsors include Wards estate agents, Regal Vehicle Hire, Wave Community Bank and CDDL Recycling. Both Sheerness Town Council and Minster on Sea Parish Council have given grants towards the event.
If successful, the Rotary Club hopes to make it an annual event.
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