Penarth's To The Sea arts festival survives stormy weather

In fact, the weather was so bad the main tightrope walk from the Esplanade to the end of the pier had to be cancelled!

But it didn’t stop performers coming to Penarth and laying on a show.

Alexandra Park was decorated with funky umbrellas and weird eyes set in hedges and accordion player and composer Stacey Blythe welcomed people with a little ditty as they made their way down to the pier.

Watch the video below of the amazing Trash Cats performance in Penarth pavilion, below

Performers came to entertain in Penarth, despite the weather (Image: Newsquest)

It was blustery, it was a little wet, and it wasn’t t-shirts and shorts temperatures, however families still thronged the strip with stalls set up as well as a marathon street dance going on.

Composer Stacey Blythe, with Amelia 6, welcomed people to the event (Image: Newsquest)

Esplanade was still jam packed! (Image: Newsquest)

On the pier itself, right at the end, rigging had been set up for an acrobatic performance, however, with it being so windy shows were delayed as organisers checked it was safe for them to go ahead.

The circus came to town with events held in Penarth centre, Alexandra Park and the esplanade (Image: Newsquest)

There was fun on Penarth beach (Image: Newsquest)

One of the highlights of the event was the Trash Cats, who performed inside the pier building in the main hall.

Two performers, acting as squabbling cats, climbed up and down a ten-foot pole set in the middle of the hall, demonstrating extraordinary physical prowess.

Families packed the hall with kids sat on the floor at the front enthralled by the performance.

Amazing trash cats (Image: Newsquest)

Families were enthralled by the performance (Image: Newsquest)

On the pier, the acrobatics did eventually go ahead with the acrobats doing a great job of entertaining the crowds. Rope displays were put on amongst the wind and crashing waves of the Bristol Channel in the background.

Watch the video below of the acrobats performing on the pier

Some amazing skills on display (Image: Newsquest)

The acrobats all performed in front of the impressive tight rope walk which went all the way along the length of the pier, adjacent to it, scheduled for 6.45pm, however, 20 minutes before it was due to take place organisers cancelled saying conditions were just not good enough and safety was priority.

The tight rope walk was sadly cancelled (Image: Newsquest)

Street dancing was held (Image: Newsquest)

Watch the video below as street dancers shake their stuff to swinging music at the To The Sea festival

It’s been a rough year for Penarth in terms of outdoor events with the highlight of the summer season, the famous downhill derby having to be cancelled due to the weather conditions back in July.

Crazy decorations for the festival (Image: Newsquest)

On the whole though, the To The Sea team did the best they could and put on a show, which, for the main, did the most important thing, entertain the kids!

Were you there? What did you think of the To The Sea show? Let us know in comments and on our Facebook page.