Newport’s Riverfest is preparing to set sail again, as this popular annual event enters its tenth year.  Set on Newport’s historic Quay, in the Isle of Wight’s picturesque market town local residents and visitors will enjoy and wide range of free entertainment.

Organised by the Island’s Footprint Trust charity and supported  by Newport Parish Council the 2017 event takes place on 13 May. Local food and drink, arts and crafts will be available from Isle of Wight businesses.

This year they salute the members of the Royal Navy and their major role in the Second World War, with the arrival of Motor Gun Boat 81, which came into service in 1942 and saw action throughout the war and supported the D Day landings.  The boat has been fully restored Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust to wartime condition, and preserved for the benefit of future generations.

The organisers are very pleased to announce that one of the Dunkirk ‘little ships’ will be returning to Riverfest. The Papillon motor yacht was one of the armada of sea craft that rescued stranded British and French troops from the beaches of Dunkirk in the darkest days of WW2. A plaque on Newport Quay records the names of the Isle of Wight’s little ships that took part in what was given the codename Operation Dynamo.

The ship has just returned from France having taken part in filming of the new Christopher Nolan film ‘Dunkirk’ to be released this summer. They also welcome the Royal British Legion Riders to the event with their fantastic array of veteran, vintage and classic motorcycles.

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