Run To The Sun

2001/2005 Late May bank holiday weekend. (The one at the beginning of half term) A VW festival at Newquay, Cornwall.
The last time I went to Run To The Sun was in 2001 and we did it properly – in our ancient VW campervan, joining the convoy organised by Volksworld magazine and bought the tickets and camped at Trevelgue Holiday Park. It was brilliant fun but a huge waste of money. Going with kids, we weren’t interested in the DJs, but even when I did go in the hall to see what it was like – it was virtually empty anyway and it seemed as though everyone was going into Newquay for the nightclubs. The traffic was so bad, we never actually made it to the Show ‘n’ shine either.
This year (2005) we weren’t totally going for Run To The Sun; we didn’t buy tickets for the festival; we camped elsewhere and our VW Camper sat at home in the driveway with plenty of rust, flat tyres and no battery! So I can’t exactly review the festival from a proper perspective. However the line-up looked loads better with DJs that I actually recognise the names of; Rat Pack; Judge Jules; and there were 3 arenas this time.
What I am going to comment on though, is the distinct lack of VWs! I’m sure there were a lot less this year than in 2001. They were easily matched in numbers, if not, overtaken by sooped up boy racers! They were everywhere! Gangs of chavs admiring the size of exhausts and speakers and funny lights. I have to say I was a bit disappointed – the laid back easy-going VW drivers were more difficult to spot around the town. It was a strange mix of people really. But it was definitely clear that Run To The Sun has become a festival for all types of cars; not just VWs.
The other thing I noticed was the lack of water pistol fights – the locals vs the tourists. They were there, but not nearly as many as there was a few years ago. I read in the Newquay Voice that police can take them away if they wish, so that may have had something to do with it. Shame really, as in 2001 I never saw any water pistol problems!
Speaking of police – they were everywhere. Going as a family, this actually felt reassuring. Their presence was clear, but at the same time, I felt they were being fair and relaxed. They weren’t pulling people up for minor offences such as overloading cars and the odd bit of loutish behaviour.
And there was loutish behaviour. I felt sorry for the people who went to Newquay for the bank holiday and hadn’t realised it was Run To The Sun! It isn’t the time to go with children. In the middle of the afternoon there are gangs of young men drunk and staggering the streets and it could feel a little intimidating. That said, I never saw any trouble though. But if you do find yourself in Newquay at that time by accident, it might be better to stick to the beaches nearby, like Mawgan Porth, and do your tourist shopping in town first thing in the morning while everyone is still hung over!