The streets of Whitley Bay will be alive with sound, colour and drama this summer when Whitley Bay Carnival returns with a 10th birthday bash.
The popular festival has revealed plans for its big anniversary and will be marking the occasion in style with a two-day spectacular from May 27-28 which will launch with a birthday-theme parade. The two days of entertainment, boosted by the success of a crowdfunder appeal earlier this year, will include live music, street food, bars, circus acts and a carnival ball featuring local favourites The Baghdaddies.
As usual, it is set to be a real community affair, with more than 2,000 local people - including groups and schools - having been involved in its planning for weeks. The stage is all set for a party-style celebration with a musical backdrop including London-based afrobeat group Soothsayers and the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band.
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Also among those performing will be Monser Ceilidh Band; Bradley Creswick's Western Swingfonia and regulars Whitley Bay Community Choir. Other attractions will include party games, races and fairground rides.
The festival, which is supported by local businesses, was given a new lease of life in 2014, following a 30-year gap, in response to a survey which found it topped the wish-list for events which locals wanted to see make a return. With organisers Carol Alevroyianni, Annie Sheridan and Sarah Sutton on board, it has grown hugely over recent years, attracting crowds of around 20,000 in 2019 with around half that number turning out to see the Saturday morning parade alone.
Carol, of Salto Arts Productions, said that even during 2020's lockdown enthusiam for it didn't wane and there were events online instead. "It's really special," she said. "It's more than just an event; it's part of the lifestyle here in Whitley Bay."
Artist Annie recalls how its rebirth began as a small affair, with just £200 funding and four schools helping to make costumes and props. With no money to spare for road closures, they paraded down the pedestrian streets instead.
"Today people from all walks of life take part," she says. "Our community is an intensely creative one." The event is all-inclusive and she adds: "One of the highlights for me is the fact that people with disabilities take part and each year we have elderly people on mobility scooters and with walking frames who get dressed up to take part."
Lindsay Ford, from Rockcliffe First School, was one of the first teachers to get involved in the festival - welcoming artists into the classroom to host workshops in costume-making and stand-out attractions for the parade, which this year will include a giant cake - and she has seen its sense of community spirit grow even stronger over time.
This year's parade which will start, as usual, at Whitley Bay Metro station at 11am on the Saturday, will weave its way through the town to Spanish City then onto the sea front by noon, so lots of spectators will be able to see the procession of colourful costumes. For more information about the carnival see its website here.
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