Wiper and True are incredibly excited to be working with Ventnor Fringe this July, serving our beautiful beers throughout the festival's event bars and magical pop-up venues. Read on to discover everything you need to know about the Isle of Wight's award-winning cultural highlight, and visit Ventnor Fringe's website for ticket information.
What is Ventnor Fringe?
Ventnor Fringe is a unique creative gathering on England's largest island - the Isle of Wight. A beautiful location packed full of natural splendour and a thriving cultural scene, it's no surprise that the Isle of Wight falls under the same wonderful regional classification as our own beloved Bristol: the South West. That's just one reason of many why Wiper and True are so excited to partner with this brilliant celebration of new music, comedy & theatre events, all springing up in pop-up venues throughout the tiny hilltop town of Ventnor, on the southern tip of the Isle of Wight.
For 10 days this summer, the town of Ventnor will be utterly transformed into a wonderland of pop-up bars and boutique venues, featuring a total of more than 300 artists from across the world.With shows for all ages, Ventnor Fringe has something for everyone - where else could you watch improvised hip hop in a laundrette, explore a 1930s Parisian ‘Book Bus’, or visit secret midnight shows in an 11th century chapel...? Across the festival, visitors can pick and choose ticketed events to attend, or alternatively explore the many free events on offer.
When is Ventnor Fringe?
Ventnor Fringe takes place this summer, over an action-packed 10-day period, from 22nd – 31st July 2022.
How did Ventnor Fringe start?
Ventnor Fringe started way back in 2010, and was originally the work of a talented group of local teenagers. The festival drew inspiration from both the world famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and the infamous counterculture heritage of the Isle of Wight Festivals which made a splash during the late 1960s. Such was the impact of the island's festivals that the Isle of Wight was the only place in the whole of the UK where festivals where banned until 2001...!
The Ventnor Exchange is now open all year round
Since 2010, the event has grown into the island's largest arts festival, has spawned the Ventnor Exchange, an open-all-year-round venue, and has helped locals and visitors alike to rediscover the unique creative spirit of the area.
Who will be performing?
From circus to puppetry, poetry to DJs: the Fringe spans all art forms, with artists at different stages of their career coming to test new material and ideas. A selection of highlights from the first announced acts include early champions of the new post-punk wave Goat Girl, American psych duo Tonstartssbandht, a project created by Andy and Edwin White, long time collaborators and band members of Mac Demarco. The first comedians confirmed to make the trip to the island include Lou Saunders, Jayde Adams, Simon Brodkin, Ahir Shah and current Taskmaster participant Sophie Duker. Meanwhile, a new venue will be hosting a huge range of cabaret with Le Gateau Chocolat, Jonny Woo and Much Ado About Bingo looking like early highlights.
How are Wiper and True involved in the festival?
We are very excited to announce that a selection of our freshest beers will be pouring across the ten-day festival. Visitors will be able to enjoy the South West's freshest craft beers on draft and in cans in festival tents, at the Ventnor Exchange bar, and at pop-up venues across the town.
How to get to the Isle of Wight?
Located a short ferry ride away from Southampton (30 minutes) or Portsmouth (60 minutes), the Isle of Wight is easy as pie to travel to, without taking a plane ride. A trip to Ventnor Fringe is a great starting point to jump into a holiday exploring the rest of the beautiful island, recently awarded UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status due to its unique biodiversity.
