Now in its third year, the country’s biggest free wheels-themed family festival returns for 2016 – bringing motion, power and elegance to the UK’s premier destination from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 June.
Having established itself in the South Coast’s event calendar alongside the internationally-renowned and award-winning Air Festival, this year’s Bournemouth Wheels Festival is set to kick off the summer with three days of fast-moving action on the Demonstration Straight, awe-inspiring monster truck shows and breathtaking new stunts.
New for this year are professional street bike stunt team ‘Two Brothers’ and mindboggling motorbike trials and tricks in the Wheels Showcase. Bournemouth also welcomes the UK Quad Bike Beach Cross Championships which promises to bring thrills and excitement aplenty to the resort’s golden sands.
Returning to wow the crowds are quad bike king, the Kangaroo Kid and precision driving ace, Paul Swift, alongside festival favourites, the Monster Truck Arena and Team Extreme’s BMX riders and skaters.
This year, as well as exhilarating monster truck rides, kids have a chance to get behind the wheel of their very own miniature version!
The popular Demo Straight will once again feature a variety of historic F1 cars, supercars, racing cars, bikes and karts. Last year’s pop-up arenas return to showcase precision driving displays, motorcycle stunts, karting and lawn mower racing.
As well as adrenaline-fuelled action, Bournemouth Wheels Festival gives local residents and visitors the chance to ogle classic motors and high-end supercars, explore military vehicles and discover the latest models from leading car manufacturers.
Councillor Lawrence Williams, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, said: “In addition to the buzz around the event’s star performers and the sheer breadth of attractions on offer, the inclusive spirit of Bournemouth Wheels Festival generates a family friendly atmosphere around the town. Wheels 2016 is anticipated to appeal to residents and visitors alike, as well as a variety of ages, backgrounds and interests, more so than ever before.”
Paul Clarke, Chair of Bournemouth’s Coastal Business Improvement District (BID) said: “We’re delighted to be back on board as a festival partner for Wheels 2016. We’re immensely proud of our coastline, to include the businesses that make it such a thriving area of the town, and it provides the perfect backdrop for such an extensive and vibrant event. We’re also pleased to be bringing the very successful evening event on the Saturday back to Southbourne for a second year.”
The festival site covers the under and over-cliff areas between Boscombe and Bournemouth’s iconic piers, with a selection of food and drink stall, traders, charities and a traditional funfair along the seafront. In addition, this year’s festival will extend into the town.
Lisa Tucker, Chair of Bournemouth’s Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) said: “As a festival partner, we’re very excited to announce that, new for this year, pre-war and vintage cars will be on display in the Square, bringing a taste of the action to the heart of Bournemouth’s shopping district. The route to the Town Centre through the Lower Gardens will also be lined with children’s entertainers.”
Bournemouth Wheels Festival is free to view with a variety of paid-for activities available, including grandstand seating for the best views of the monster truck carcrushing and power demonstrations. Event organisers will also be running a regular shuttle bus service to help festival-goers move around the site.
For the latest details of what’s on, opening times and other event information, visit bournemouthwheels.co.uk, facebook.com/bournemouthwheelsfestival or twitter.com/bmthwheelsfest.
