Colchester Carnival parade...plus a whole day of fun (From Gazette)

Colchester Carnival parade...plus a whole day of fun

3:20pm Friday 29th June 2012 in Colchester By Neil D'Arcy-Jones

Colchester mayor Helen Chuah with the Boudica samba troupe at last year’s carnival

FIVE festivals in one day. That’s what awaits Colchester Carnival-goers this weekend.

Run by Colchester Round Table and Colchester Ladies Circle, with help from Dorien Kelly of Colchester creative events company, Illuminati, tomorrow’s event looks set to be the biggest and best yet.

As well as the procession itself, which starts at 4pm from Boundary Road North and ends at 6pm at the entrance to Castle Park off the High Street, there will be a fun-packed family day in Castle Park from 11am to 8pm, which includes live music, workshops and dance troupes.

A special Olympic treat this year will be Essex County Council and Walk the Plank’s Sparks Will Fly Festival, which has already wowed audiences in Harwich, Braintree and Maldon, and will be doing likewise in Colchester tomorrow.

Our giant character is Marina Mightier and she’ll not only be picking up Colchester’s glass bead, but also taking part in the procession itself.

If that wasn’t enough, carnival organisers have also put together a Celebrate Diversity! event, which will celebrate the traditions, culture and talents of Colchester’s ethnic community with music, dance, catering and crafts.

There’s even a world record attempt to beat the number of people playing hopscotch at any one time.

That is being organised by Live Art Collective East and takes place in Lower Castle Park from 2pm to 3pm.

Dan Woodruff, carnival chairman, says: “As organisers of the event, both Colchester Round Table and Ladies Circle are very much looking forward to showcasing what Colchester has to offer, which is the culmination of much hard work over recent months by all involved.

“On a personal note, it has been a privilege to act as carnival chairman over the past year and I hope that everyone enjoys the programme of events taking place on Saturday.”

Profits from this year’s carnival will be distributed as grants to good causes in the borough. If you are a local charity or not-for-profit organisation, you may apply to the fund for a grant. See www.colchestercarnival. com for how to apply.