The summer of the year 2000 in Looe promises to be one full of activity, fun and excitement, to entertain the local community and tourists, and also to boost the business sector. The town is going all out to make it a year to remember.
There are two new events planned which if successful could become the forerunners of permanent ones to add to the port's busy seasonal calendar.
The first, on May 12, 13 and 14 will be the town's own Jazz Festival with top bands having already been lined up . Events will include New Orleans-style parades through the streets on the Friday and the Sunday, and support has come in from bands nationwide and from Holland and Belgium, promising a terrific musical weekend. It is envisaged any profits made will be ploughed back in for future such events.
Just four weeks later on June 9, 10 and 11 it will be the turn of the Looe Festival of the Sea 2000, a joint venture between the Harbour Commissioners and the Town Forum. During this weekend the annual raft race organised by the Chamber of Commerce, will take place on the Sunday, and it is hoped the festival itself will become a bi-ennial event, fitting in between the Lugger Regatta, ensuring the port has a maritime event every year.
At a preliminary meeting attended by over 40 people at the end of last year many ideas were put forward including marquee based events on both sides of the river, childen's activities, exhibitions and displays, evening events, costumed characters, story telling, street theatre, visiting vessels, input from the Royal Navy, coastguards, RNLI, Sea Cadets, Gigs, Sailing Club, music, arts and crafts, to name just a few.
The next Festival of the Sea planning meeting will be on Thursday, Feburary 3 at The Hannafore Point Hotel, at 7pm, to which all interested are welcome.
There is also a warning out that a press gang will soon be operating in the port of Looe, rounding up 'volunteers' to go on board the motley crew of Pirates, Buccaneers and Wenches, who will be crowding the streets again this summer, every Tuesday in July and August!