The atmosphere, as usual, is great and it’s actually quite warm!

The usual Victoriana is out in splendour, as is Darth Vader, Frankenstein and Dracula. Even spotted a Goth ferret (with little bat wings attached to his back – sweet!).

The Pavilion has a particularly good range of stalls selling clothing, jewellery and all manner of goth apparel.

The band sound checks were in full swing ready for this evening (Clan of Xymox) and there’s a real buzz about the place.

The Bizarre Bazaar has been extended and the usual RNLI Dracula Drop looks as insanely dangerous as ever! The Victorian Spa Well in Broomfield Terrace is to be opened (a rare event) and there’s even a Horror Lab at The Resolution Hotel with a special FX demonstration.

However, this year’s event is rather special and a call for tolerance. On the West Cliff there is a memorial bench dedicated to Sophie Lancaster, the 20 year old who was kicked to death by thugs as she tried to help her boyfriend who was being attacked. They were picked on simply for being Goths. The sickening event has sent shock waves around the country and has sparked a huge debate about what we should be doing as a society about the gangs of youths who seem to literally be ‘getting away with murder’.

Despite some alarming-looking characters at the festival, it’s quite clear that the Goths are a peaceful, tolerant and fun-loving sub-culture in this country.

The Goths have paid for the memorial but there’s also a separate fund called SOPHIE (Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere) set up by Sophie’s friends and family.

A worthy cause if ever there was one… and a wake-up call to everybody who lives in the UK.

Some useful Dracula information as well.

Check it out…DarkMoonNightmagick