Event FAQ's
How do I find Southsea Common?
Southsea Common can be found via google maps, or via postcode: PO5 3NW. -Full address is: Clarence Parade, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3NW. - The Main Entrance is through the big black gates opposite The Queen’s Hotel. - All those with prebooked entry will enter the common via the entrance opposite the Blue Reef Aquarium. - Clubs will have their wristbands sent to them approx one week before the show - no wristband, no early entry. - Traders and Show and Shine will be emailed passes to display in their windows approx one week before the show - no pass, no early entry. - General on the day entry (those who just want to rock up for the day) will need to use the big black gate opposite the Queen’s Hotel, on Clarence Parade. Southsea Common can be found via google maps, or via postcode: PO5 3NW. -Full address is: Clarence Parade, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3NW. - The Main Entrance is through the big black gates opposite The Queen’s Hotel. - All those with prebooked entry will enter the common via the entrance opposite the Blue Reef Aquarium. - Clubs will have their wristbands sent to them approx one week before the show - no wristband, no early entry. - Traders and Show and Shine will be emailed passes to display in their windows approx one week before the show - no pass, no early entry. - General on the day entry (those who just want to rock up for the day) will need to use the big black gate opposite the Queen’s Hotel, on Clarence Parade.
What time is the show open?
Prebooked clubs, show and shine, and traders have an allocated entrance time. General entrance time is 10am till 4pm.
Can I just turn up and pay on the day?
Yes, yes you can. It’s £10 per vehicle including all occupants (VAG group, vintage, hot rod, vehicles of interest) you can pay on the gate either with cash or using contactless, or absolutely free if you’d like to walk on as a pedestrian - we do encourage a donation to the show via our ops tent though, it is after all for charity and to benefit the local community!
How do I get in?
There are NO RIGHT TURNS into the show from either entrance, this is to assist with traffic flow in the local area! General entry: when you approach the show and you’re unable to do a right turn into the show, please follow the road up Clarence Parade for about 500-700 yards until you get to a small roundabout, please use this to turn around to go back the way you came up Clarence Parade, and then join the back of the queue into the show. Please DO NOT do u-turns in the local area, it is really dangerous, we get in trouble for it, and it is just not the respectful or done thing to do. Pre-booked: When you approach the show and you’re unable to do a right turn into the show, please follow the road up towards the funfair following the road right, you’ll come to a roundabout, turn right past the car park, then left back on to the seafront to then join the queue for your early entry gate.
Will you have staff to help?
Yes! Our team of Organisers and Show Crew are exclusively composed of volunteers. All volunteers at the show are long standing volunteers and they all do the same roles every year so all know what they’re doing like the back of their hands - they really are our dream team, and the real experts of Beach Dubbin’. They are all incredible, hard working, do this for free every year, and without them we wouldn’t have a show! Organisers are dressed in bright pink logo’d tshirts, and our Show Crew are dressed in bright orange logo’d tshirts so we are super easy to spot on the field. Please listen to our Organisers and Show Crew on the day, we are here to keep you safe, the public safe, and the show running smoothly. Please be kind, and keep in mind that we are all normal people doing this for free for you to have a good day. We also have a licensed traffic management team to assist us, as well as a SIA licensed security team who will help us keep everyone safe. Having these amazing people assist us bolsters up our already incredible team with expert advice and assistance.
Can I just walk on and off the show and come back again?
Yes, it's the common and we are an open event, you may leave the show on foot any time, and return any time you like. Your vehicle will however need to be off site by 19:00 otherwise you’ll get locked in!
How is show and shine judged?
Show and shine is judged by a diverse group of volunteer judges of all genders, with varying levels of knowledge from experts to novices. Vehicles are judged on a few pointers to help bring it down to one winner, but really, a lot of the time it comes down to personal choice. Some vehicles will win for purity, others will win for their compelling story, and some will win just because they’re mega cool with flames up the side! We aren’t a concourse show, if you love your car, chances are, one of our judges will also love it! So turn up, park up, and have fun! Show and shine is a static part of the show so there is no vehicular movement between 10:00 and 16:00.
What time are the trophy winners announced?
15:30 on Sunday in front of the DJ.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, it is the common so you are allowed to bring dogs, but we do ask that they remain on leads under control around the show at all times, and owners pick up any ‘deposits’ the dog may leave. We also encourage owners to be responsible, the common is an open space with very little shade and shelter. So make sure your furry friends have plenty of water and access to shade. Please DO NOT leave your dogs tethered to your vehicles in the sun - it’s really horrible for everyone involved, we have to rescue them, and then we have to shame you over the tannoy by calling out your reg and what your vehicle looks like. So don’t be that person.
Can I BBQ?
Yes, it is the common. There are dedicated BBQ bins on the common, please make use of these and refer to our safety posts about BBQs, please be responsible. All BBQs need to be off of the grass, and again, be responsible.
What charities and causes are you supporting this year?
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance are our main charity as always, and we will be donating to a lot of amazing local charities and local community projects.
Do you earn anything from the show?
No, not a penny! This is a not for profit event, all our income is spent on the show, with a small amount held back for next year’s costs, and the rest is donated to charity.
Can I drive my vehicle around the show?
Absolutely NOT. There is no vehicular movement between 10am and 4pm in the main arena due to obvious health and safety reasons. If you need to leave for an emergency, then please approach a member of the show crew or organiser team (in an orange or pink tshirt) and they will escort you out safely.
Can I do burnouts, donuts, wheel spins and other tricks in my vehicle?
Absolutely NOT, and if you do, you’ll be asked to leave immediately by our security team and organisers. This is a safe, family friendly, and open event. Please respect this by exercising common sense. Doing silly stuff like this is a sure fire way of getting the show shut down, so lets not eh!
What exit should I use when I leave the show?
The Main Entrance opposite The Queen’s Hotel, it will be sign posted. There is no exit at the Prebooked Entrance opposite Blue Reef Aquarium, you will be directed to the Queen’s Hotel exit, and will be asked to filter in turn by our show crew. Although queues seem long at the end, we are very efficient and safe at getting you all off. Please adhere to any requests by our show crew - it isn’t our first rodeo and we know what we are doing. So please be kind, patient, and listen to us, we will get you off. All vehicles need to be off site by 19:00, if you are later than this, you’ll be locked in. The last 2 shows, our organisers have had to hang around very late due to people not coming back to their vehicles, we will not be doing that this year as some of us have very young children to get back to, so please ensure you are off site by 19:00 to avoid being locked in.
Will there be toilets?
Yes, including an accessible loo. Our team regularly check the loos for cleanliness and we also top up the loo rolls. There is also a large block of beautifully kept public toilets opposite the Hovercraft station, including baby changing, and accessible toilets.
Is the common accessible for everyone?
Yes - the common by geography is very flat, and our friends at Portsmouth City Council keep the grass nice and short, making it accessible to all.
Is there anything for the kids to do?
Yes, we have a family area where there will be performances and paid activities, and for the grown ups, there is tea and coffee, and somewhere shady to feed your babies and little people.
Where can I find first aid?
The first aid point is in the branded operations tent marked by a large flag, we are also working in partnership with the incredible SCAS Charity this year as well who will be assisting us with First Aid.
What if I lose my child or dependent?!
When you arrive at the show with your mini dubbers and dependents, please make your way to our operations/merch tent next to the DJ where you can collect a wristband free of charge. The wristband is bright yellow, branded with our logo with a space for your number, and we provide pens to write your number on prior to placing on your mini dubber or dependent’s wrist. These are durable, bright, and help us make contact with you should anyone get lost. Members of our operations tents are all enhanced DBS checked, and two are qualified in early years, so we are fully equipped.