Kemptown Carnival to take a year off

The Kemptown Carnival Association will take a year off - as it did in 2015 - to raise funds for next year’s event, but it also plans to develop the organisation into a Community Interest Company (CIC).

Mat Cook, carnival director, said: “The carnival has doubled in size since 2011 when it was first brought to life by the Kemptown Carnival Association and we’re proud that it’s now the largest free community street arts festival in Brighton.

“Transforming the carnival organisation into a more professional body is the natural step for us. Year on year the carnival has become more colourful and vibrant with over 700 artists and performers taking part in 2016.

“It’s a truly wonderful event and I’m looking forward to working with the Kemptown community and our partners to protect the carnival’s long term future.

“The carnival simply couldn’t take place without the support of our partners, sponsors, local residents and traders, and the incredible artists that make the Kemptown Carnival what it is.”

As well as re-structuring the body which runs it, throughout 2017 the Kemptown Carnival Association will host a season of musical and family events across the city to make an early start on fundraising for the 2018 event.

Working with the Palace Pier, Kemptown Carnival’s first fundraising event will take place in Horatio’s Bar at the end of the pier on April 15. The gig will feature the carnival’s 2016 headline act, King Lagoon’s Flying Swordfish Dance Band, supported by Bunty Looping, one of Brighton’s leading solo artists.

In May Kemptown Carnival will be at the Spiegeltent on the Old Steine, and on June 24 the carnival will host its children’s festival, cake bake and tea party at St George’s Church.

The carnival organisers are also inviting volunteers to get involved in fundraising events over the coming year. To find out more email Mat Cook, on [email protected]