GUNWHARF QUAYS was the venue for 70 secret VIPS who sipped champagne and nibbled on canapes after winning tickets in a competition held by Hovertravel.
The special evening celebrated a new partnership between Hovertravel and Gunwharf Quays with the launch of their HoverShopper winter promotion.
It included travel from Ryde to Gunwharf Quays and a special VIP Charter direct from Gunwharf Quays Marina and tickets for the famous annual fireworks display.
For the first time ever the Spinnaker Tower was lit up in sequence to the display.
Nearly 10,000 people attended the event last October, and this year even more turned out in force for what promised to be a spectacular display at Gunwharf’s Marina.
The fireworks began at 8pm and they were preceded by a vast, carnival style parade, which wove its way through the city, starting at St. Georges Church at 6.30pm and making its way to the waterfront.
Both the parade and fireworks were themed around the Mexican Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, with the procession led by a giant 15ft skull.
People lined the streets to witness and follow the parade of beautiful costumes, amazing dancers, musicians and performers. Skull lantern carriers from schools including Milton Cross, King Richards, St Georges, St Edmunds, and Park Community School accompanied the professional carnival artistes as they headed towards the marina ready for the fireworks finale.
Neil Chapman, Hovertravel managing director said: “Teaming up with Gunwharf Quays to charter our craft from their fireworks spectacular was our way of giving something back to our loyal customers and a great opportunity to put on a fun and exclusive event. We gave away 70 freetickets to travel on the craft to the display; on arrival guests were shown to a VIP area in the slug and Lettuce where they enjoyed complimentary drinks and canapés whilst watching the fireworks. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the unique trip back on a night service directly from the Gunwharf Marina. When we announced the competition islanders all jumped at the chance to attend and I am pleased we gave the winners an extra special treat.
