FROM a Thailand inspired festival to chili eating competitions and motorbike meet-ups - there's something for everyone to enjoy this weekend.
Here's a roundup of some of the events taking place across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole on Saturday and Sunday.
Poole Lifeboat Festival
The RNLI will be holding a festival in Poole Quay this weekend as it celebrates its 200th anniversary this year.
Poole Lifeboat Festival will take place by the RNLI College, on both Saturday and Sunday.
It will include behind the scenes tours, capsize demonstrations in the sea survival centre, launch and recovery demonstrations and interactive workshops.
There will also be live music on a centre stage and refreshment stalls during the two-day weekend festival on May 18 and 19.
As part of the event, Poole Quay will also see a host of activity with Poole Quay Boat Haven hosting historic RNLI lifeboats and international visiting lifeboats. Poole Lifeboat Station will be open to visitors and other pop-up stalls including lifeboat models, static lifeboats and much more that will add to the atmosphere.
The festival will close at 4pm Sunday with a parade of sail including many historic RNLI lifeboats, the current RNLI fleet, and visiting lifeboats from other countries.
For more information visit https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/events/2024/may/poole-lifeboat-festival
Christchurch Cheese and Chili Festival
The annual Cheese and Chili Festival is returning to Christchurch this weekend.
Now in its 10th year, Christchurch Cheese and Chili Festival is a vibrant and flavourful event that celebrates two beloved culinary ingredients: cheese and chilli.
This festival brings together food enthusiasts, families, and anyone with a taste for the spicy and the savoury.
There is also plenty of entertainment lined up for attendees, including live music, crazy golf, a bubble party, mini fun fair, axe throwing, and of course, a chilli eating competition.
This year’s event will take place off Parley Lane between 10am and 6pm on Saturday, and 10am and 5pm on Sunday.
For information and ticket prices visit https://cheeseandchillifestival.com/christchurch/
Magic of Thailand Festival
Magic of Thailand Festival will bring a 'taste of Thailand' to Harbourside Park this weekend.
The festival will be kickstarted with a traditional food offering to Buddhist monks.
Across Saturday and Sunday, guests can enjoy traditional music and dancing, Muay Thai boxing, a ladyboy show, Thai beer garden, Thai massage and a children's play area.
There will also be Thai stalls selling exotics foods, jewellery, clothes and memorabilia.
The event is taking place between 10am to 7pm on both days.
For information and ticket prices visit www.magicofthailand.co.uk
Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannatha
The Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannatha is an annual procession that is celebrated mainly in the Indian state of Odisha on the country’s east coast.
Each year, giant wooden chariots carry the deities Jagannath, a form of Lord Krishna, as well as his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, pulled by their devotees.
On Saturday, colourful chariots will be pulled in a beachfront procession starting at Bournemouth Pier, near the observation wheel.
The ‘enchanting’ procession, organised by the Indian Cultural Association of Dorset and Iskcon Bournemouth, promises soul-stirring music, joyous singing and exuberant dancing.
Attendees can hand-pull the chariot themselves, immersing themselves in the ‘transcendental experience of devotion and celebration’.
The celebrations will run between 12pm and 3pm.
Distinguished Gentleman’s Bike Ride
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Bike Ride is returning for its 11th year on Sunday.
Bikers will be riding from Poole Quay at 10am, through Bournemouth and ending in Christchurch, to raise money and awareness of prostate cancer and men’s mental health.
Last year’s spectacular ride had more than 900 bikers take to the street and raised more than £80,000 for prostate cancer research charities.
This year will see a new route taking in Westbourne and Southbourne high streets, as well the usual destinations of Sandbanks and both piers.
For more information visit https://www.gentlemansride.com
Victoria School Car Show and Summer Fair
The 10th annual Victoria School Car Show and Summer Fair is returning to Poole this weekend.
Visitors can enjoy cars, superheroes, stalls, live entertainment and more.
The event will take place at Victoria Education Centre in Lindsay Road, Branksome, between 10am and 4pm on Sunday.
Entry is free, but donations are encouraged.
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