Littlehampton Carnival set to shine with summer special

LITTLEHAMPTON Carnival is ready to bounce back after last year’s dismal downpour with a summer spectacular on Saturday (July 6).
Littlehampton Carnival Queen Megan Swift with a trio of mascots, Sandy Castle, from Harbour Park, the carnival's Hampton the Hedgehog, and Ray Bear, of RaydarLittlehampton Carnival Queen Megan Swift with a trio of mascots, Sandy Castle, from Harbour Park, the carnival's Hampton the Hedgehog, and Ray Bear, of Raydar
Littlehampton Carnival Queen Megan Swift with a trio of mascots, Sandy Castle, from Harbour Park, the carnival's Hampton the Hedgehog, and Ray Bear, of Raydar

Buoyed by a highly promising weekend weather forecast, the hard-working committee is putting the finishing touches to its bumper, day-long programme, culminating in the colourful evening parade.

This year’s theme is Mardi Gras, so spectators can look forward to a vibrant, up-tempo procession with exotic costumes and brightly-decorated floats, all accompanied by top-notch marching bands and dance troupes.

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And the event’s big secret will be revealed, too, when Carnival Queen Megan Swift, Princesses Megan Quinnell and Natasha-Jane Townsend, Junior Princess Zoe Bridger and Flower Girls Mia Bridger and Abigail Baker will be seen for the first time in their new outfits.

All six have also been given jewellery for their special day by Dan Bridger Jeweller.

They will be travelling in style on the carnival committee’s own float, designed by committee member Dina Bartley.

This will be the 39th carnival to be staged since the event was revived, and president Freda Hughes has been involved in every single one. “It’s going to be very colourful this year, with the Mardi Gras theme,” she said. “Everything is ready to go now, all we need is the weather and that’s the one thing we can’t do anything about.

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“We’ve dealt with the three Rs – rules, regulations and risk assessments – and the committee has worked so hard to give the town what should be a fabulous day.”

The City of Coventry Corps of Drums and Farnborough Drum and Trumpet Corps are confirmed for the parade, and others invited include the Littlehampton Army Cadet Band, Littlehampton Sea Cadets Band, T. S. Implacable Nautical Training Corps, Littlehampton and Arundel District Scout Band and Celebration Samba, who will be riding on their float.

Among the dance troupes taking part will be the Silk Road Dancers, Grupo Folcorico Perola Di Madeira, The Southern Starlights, Regis Troopers, The Wonder Girls and Dragonfly Dance.

Rustington Carnival’s ‘royals’ and Littlehampton’s Miss Bonfire will also be in the procession and there will be a trio of mascots – the carnival’s own Hampton Hedgehog, Harbour Park’s Sandy Castle and Ray Bear, the new mascot for the charity Raydar.

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A good number of floats and walking groups are already booked in, but latecomers will be equally welcome and can turn up on the day.

While the carnival is now fully-staffed with marshals, more than 30 of them, street collectors are still needed.

Town mayor Joyce Bowyer will officially declare carnival day open at 10am in the pedestrian precinct.

An array of stalls in High Street will be selling crafts, cakes, pottery, ice cream and charcuterie, with charities and local organisations raising funds and face painting and Owls About Town as further attractions, including live music and dancing through to 2pm.

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The procession sets off at 6pm, heading for Southfields recreation ground, where the winners’ trophies will be presented at 7.30pm and Coles funfair will be in full swing, having opened tonight and continuing until Monday.