10 things not to miss at Goldcoast Oceanfest 2016
Having fun at GoldCoast Oceanfest 2015: Picture: Oceanfest15 - Credit: Oceanfest15
Planning on visiting Goldcoast Oceanfest this weekend? Here are 10 things not to miss if you’re heading to the North Devon surf and music festival.
Grom surf action at GoldCoast Oceanfest. Picture: Oceanfest15 - Credit: Oceanfest15
Croyde’s favourite surf and music festival, Goldcoast Oceanfest, is celebrating its 18th birthday this weekend (June 17-19)
And organisers are promising to take the festival to new levels as it comes of age.
But what can you expect from this year’s festival? Here are 10 things not to miss at Goldcoast Oceanfest 2016...
Tea and jam tent
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New to the festival this year will be the Tea and Jam Tent, run by Saunton Road Studios in Braunton.
The second performance stage will play host to plenty of local performers.
A packed crowd enjoys the performance by Roots Manuva at GoldCoast Oceanfest on Friday night: Picture: Oceanfest15 - Credit: Oceanfest15
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Top musical acts
Among the artists appearing on the main stage will be Sunset Sons, DJ Fresh and Fuse ODG, with KT Tunstall closing the 2016 stage.
But the weekend promises a whole variety of different performances throughout the day and evening.
Big boy paddle
KT Tunstall will headline GoldCoast Oceanfest on Sunday, June 19 - Credit: Archant
One of the highlights of Goldcoast each year is the Big Boy Paddle Race, raising money for Children’s Hospice South West.
Entry costs £5 to join surfers, paddlers and surf lifesavers, leaving Croyde beach, paddling round the bay and back again at 11am.
Hospice tea party
This year Goldcoast Oceanfest is help supporting Children’s Hospice South West, which is celebrating its 25th year.
To mark the hospice’s 25th anniversary and as the Croyde festival ‘comes of age’ at 18 this year, it will be hosting a Silver Tea Party when it opens on Friday, June 17.
It runs from 11am-2pm, with proceeds to the hospice and the chance to have an early sneak peek at what is on offer at Oceanfest this year.
Chilling out at GoldCoast Oceanfest - Credit: Archant
Giant sculpture
One of the unique features of this year’s festival in Croyde will be a giant sculpture in the arena.
This has been provided by Broomhill Art Hotel.
Solstice swim
The Sunset Sons are looking forward to Oceanfest. Picture: MC Ferrer - Credit: MC Ferrer
It wouldn’t be a summer solstice festival without a dip in the ocean!
Grab your wetsuit and join the swim beyond the surfline, meeting at the southern side of the beach towards Downend at 8.30am.
The swim costs £10 each and starts at 9.30am - the perfect way to celebrate the last day of the festival, and the longest day of the year.
Day tickets available
Due to popular demand, the festival is this year offering day tickets for the first time in years.
So if you can’t make the weekend, now you can swing by for the day and still enjoy all the fun.
Revellers love the show-stopping live music at GoldCoast Oceanfest - Credit: Archant
Take to the skies
See the festival from a whole different perspective this year by hopping aboard the ferris wheel. It will definitely be a great chance to take the ultimate festival selfie!
And if youi’re feeling brave, the sky swing - another new feature this year - is bound to test your nerves - take it on if you dare.
Chill tent
Oceanfest - Credit: Archant
Feeling like the festival vibes are getting a bit too much, or want a chance to nurse your head after partying the night before?
The chill tent will be the perfect place to take a bit of time out and relax before jumping back into the crowd.
Craft cider and ale
It wouldn’t be a North Devon festival without a chance to sample some proper cider and ale.
The craft beers and ciders will be available to try if you can tear yourself away from the music!
Oceanfest - Credit: Archant
And one last thing...
Don’t forget to swing by the North Devon Gazette’s stand and say hello - and tweet us using #WeAreNorthDevon.
Click here to return to our homepage for more North Devon news.
