CUTTING edge, creative and cultural — Ventnor Fringe 2018 had it all.

The festival took over the town — utilising pubs, churches, the launderette and any other available nooks and crannies to create some magic, and transformed larger areas to create Parkside and Harbourside, ensuring there was enough space for the thousands of visitors that descended during the week.

From Tuesday, August 7, to Sunday, August 12, Ventnor hosted a wide range of ticketed and free shows, catering for all tastes and age ranges.

Ventnor Art Collective held an arts exhibition, which featured modern art and esoteric installation pieces, and a new three-storey street art mural popped up along the High Street, created by world-renowned spray paint artist Phlegm.

Night time was a hub of energy with a range of lively spots packed with revellers, outdoor cinema, a Carnival Cabaret, and several concerts showcasing wonderful musical and comedic talent.

People could screen-print their own tote bags, read books on the Book Bus, listen to buskers, follow an arts trail, try the street food, learn to dance or relax with daily yoga.

Children could watch wacky magicians, play ping pong, enter the colouring container, watch a puppet show and listen to stories.

A team of creatives worked hard to produce a daily newspaper, the Fringe Review, featuring reviews of shows and fun articles on various topics, such as Laura Clare Reid’s Fashionista column featuring the trendiest people she spotted around the town.

Young reporters Iris and Rollo Little, age 13 and 11, were signed up to give their opinions on the children’s shows, and took to video-blogging their way around the Fringe as well as writing reviews and being let loose to do an Instagram take-over.

Jack Whitewood, one of the founding Fringe producers, said: “What an incredible week! 4,500 tickets sold plus many free events and shows, 400 performers and 50 incredible volunteers who made the whole thing happen.

“This year saw the Island’s largest ever street art piece created, impromptu recording sessions and musical collaborations with performers from around the world.

“Our pop-up theatres presented everything from absurdist comedy to challenging work exploring mental health and everywhere from bus stops to the launderette hosted events.

“Ventnor really was the Island’s creative hub this week.

“See you next year for the big 10th anniversary — July 23 to July 28, 2019.”