Sandown’s popular Grand Regatta Hat Parade is just 6 weeks away, and that means eager hat makers of all ages are starting to dream up weird and wonderful headwear to strut their stuff on the town’s beach.
The 2026 parade is on Sunday 9th August and the Best Hat chosen by the judges wins £100. There are also prizes of £50 on offer for the best under-12 hat and the winner of the mad hatter award for most eccentric creation.
Bay Heritage Champion Paul Coueslant, one of the event’s organisers, says:
“Wearing your hat on Regatta Day has been a tradition in Sandown for decades and the Grand Hat Parade inspires new generations to get creative and show off. We can’t wait to see the 2026 designs on show.”
Regatta hatters gather early afternoon on the beach near The Sundial Cafe ready for the Parade’s 14:30 start.
Hat parade prizes are kindly donated by Graft Studios IOW, Brevity – the Isle of Wight’s Literary Handbill, Boojum & Snark and Sandown HUB.
