no:361-07
date:1st August, 2007
Thousands of people are expected to join the party as the Caribbean Carnival returns to Leicester this Saturday (4th).
The theme for the carnival this year is ‘a combination of cultures’, and includes a commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery.
This year celebrations are set to be bigger and brighter than ever, with a parade of people wearing elaborate and colourful costumes. The parade sets off from Victoria Park at 1pm taking the following route through the city:
Granville Road, Regent Road, King Street, Market Street, Horsefair Street, Halford Street. Charles Street, London Road, Granville Road, and returning to Victoria Park at around 4pm.
Entertainment on Victoria Park continues until 8pm with live music by Mark Morrison, Calypsonians and artists from across the region. Traditional Caribbean food will be available from food stalls, along with arts and crafts, face painting and a children’s funfair.
Cllr Andy Connelly, cabinet lead for culture said: “I am delighted that the Caribbean Carnival has returned to Leicester this summer. It is one of the most vibrant events in the city’s cultural calendar and I know hundreds of families will be soaking up the carnival atmosphere this weekend.
“I would like to congratulate everyone who had worked so hard to ensure the carnival returned to Leicester this year”.
Dennis Christopher, Director of the Leicester Caribbean Carnival said: “We have been working on this event for many months. We wanted to make sure that these celebrations are the best ever”.
Leicester’s Caribbean Carnival was last held in 2005. The event was not staged last year because of rising costs. This year the event received additional funding from Leicester City Council and the Arts Council.
Full details about the Caribbean Carnival are available at www.leicester.gov.uk/festivals or contact Leicester Caribbean Carnival Ltd on 0116 221 1785.
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For media enquiries only, contact Lucia Chaplin, press officer, on 0116 252 6074. E-mail lucia.chaplin@leicester.gov.uk
For further information please contact the Press Office at pressdesk@leicester.gov.uk .
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