Plans for a 300ft waterslide during the Ramsgate Festival have been boosted with a £48k grant

A slide based on this one in Bristol was due in Ramsgate Photo by creator/artist Luke Jerram

Plans for a 300ft waterslide and other activities during the Ramsgate Festival this Summer have received a boost with £48,000 funding from Arts Council England.

Starting with opera on the beach (Handel’s Semele from Garsington Opera) and finishing with the Fire Finale, the packed programme includes: the Ramsgate slide; Littoral Light, a beautiful illuminated twilight art installation on a remote stretch of beach involving 40 artists;  Jimmy’s Boatyard, a unique installation from Russian artists Cardboardia and Yorkshire’s Handmade Parade, working with local artists, who will bring a daily programme of boat making in the harbour.

There will also be events celebrating the maritime  theme such as Pirate Day on July 26 and nautical-themed computer games at the Micro Museum.

The slide

The Ramsgate Slide will be a one day installation along Ramsgate’s iconic Royal Parade. It will be modelled on a similar installation in Bristol by internationally renowned artist, Luke Jerram, who recently unveiled Ocean Pavilion in Singapore and created the St Pancras pianos.

Photo Bristol City Council

This year’s theme is #DreamMarine. The slide will be in place on July 30 and is just one of the attractions at this year’s event which will run from July 22-30 alongside the Ramsgate Week and Regatta.

‘Vote of confidence’

A festival spokesman said: “With this and the support of the many other organisations and individuals who care so much and are generously giving their time and money to make the festival happen this year, it is going to be amazing and much bigger than ever before in 2017.

“The Arts Council money is a huge vote of confidence from them and a massive boost to what we can deliver this year – but we still need to raise more to fulfill all our dreams, in particular to make the Ramsgate Slide happen.”

The bunting fund

Ramsgate businesses and the Town Team are also fundraising for bunting to stretch throughout the town.

The bunting will be designed by local artist Theresa Smith.

A Race Night at The Goose last week raised £406 towards the bunting.

To find out more or make a donation click here