In just a few weeks time, the whole town of Poole will come together to celebrate Inside Out Festival, Seafood and Sounds, and the Street Music Poole special – all in the space of a single weekend, and all free to participate.

From the 16th to 17th September, locals and visitors alike can enjoy food, drink and a host of entertainment, with plenty of venues getting involved.

Inside Out Dorset will span both Saturday and Sunday, bringing live acrobatics shows, musical performances and international artists to The Dolphin, Falkland Square and the High Street.

Co-Artistic Directors Kate Wood and Bill Gee said: “Bringing great art and audiences to some of Dorset’s most remarkable rural and urban locations is at the heart of the festival.

“As former winners of ‘best event’ with Poole Tourism, we’re delighted that Poole BID, along with Lighthouse Poole and BCP Council, are supporting our festival this year.

“The programme will showcase a diverse mix of exceptional UK and international artists and the unique work they have created – from Dorset-based twins, The Working Boys Club, to artists Chloe Loftus and Rodney Bell all the way from New Zealand, the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band from India, and our very own Dorset Youth Dance and The Remix.

“Poole High Street will come alive with a superb family-friendly programme of awe-inspiring performances.”

Running alongside the festival is the inaugural Seafood and Sounds, put together by five local business owners in response to the loss of a couple of Poole’s favourite annual events.

Venues will be encouraged to serve up their own live music and seafood dishes, and there’ll also be a daily fisherman’s market on the Quay.

Organiser Jeanette Walsh, Owner of Truly Scrumptious, said: “The traders along Poole Quay have always worked together.

“But funding cuts and wider financial business pressures in 2023 have made us all determined to join forces and create what we hope will be an annual community event.”

There’s also the Street Music Poole special on Saturday, when ukelele three-piece Mother Ukers will come along to soundtrack the various festivities for the day.

Activities run from 11am onwards throughout the weekend, which should prove a big boost for the town’s hospitality and retail sectors.

Jacqui Rock, Leader of Poole BID, added: “Having events these provides a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to experience unique and diverse artworks, along with our trademark seafood and our local musical talents too.

“We’re so excited to be supporting this festival and cannot wait to see thousands of people visit Poole over the weekend.”

• poolebid.com

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