The Annual Old Leigh Regatta is a charity event organised by the three Scout/Venture groups based in the Old Town, who benefit from your generous support. This year’s special charity to also benefit is Action against Cancer, which is a local charity that have donated their proceeds to Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Units at Southend Hospital.
Old Leigh High Street closes on these two days to allow all the entertainment, competitions, side shows, craft stalls and water events.
There is live music for all tastes - this year bands performing are 208, Heartbeat, Highly Strung and Diaz. Morris dancing, banana eating, cracker eating and cockle eating competitions, for both children and adults. Also, there is Climbing the Greasy Pole and Bowsprit pillow fighting and various water based events include Dinghy Tug of War, Dinghy Sculling Races and the sailing races.
Plenty to eat and drink at the pubs, cafes and the Regatta tea tent, also Rossi's ice-cream, fish and chips, jellied eels, cockles and other shell fish.
For the children there is Punch and Judy, many stalls and entertainment for all the family.