By Dan Thompson
After a two-year hiatus, Margate Carnival returns to the streets of the town this Sunday (August 7).
The annual event will leave Palm Bay at 2:30 p.m., before heading along the waterfront past Turner Contemporary, Old Town and Dreamland, before ending in Westbrook.
Margate Carnival is the largest community arts event in the town and features local community groups, dance schools, youth groups and businesses. Hundreds of people take part, with over 50 entries in the procession this year, and thousands line the streets.
Many locals join in, organizing parties and gathering in their homes and gardens to watch the procession, and a number of nursing homes ensure their residents come out to watch as well.
Margate Carnival has its roots in processions dating back more than 120 years.
Anyone wanting to get into the Margate Carnival spirit can join workshops led by Great British Carnival this week and make their own carnival costume. Drop in workshops take place at East Kent Mencap, Northdown Road on Tuesdays, and then at Silvers, High Street, from Wednesday to Saturday.
All workshops run from 11am-4pm and are free to attend. They are supported by a grant from Arts Council England.
Margate Carnival organizer Jack Packman said: “It’s great to be back as we bring many Margate communities together again after a tough few years for our volunteers and local groups.”
On Sunday, as Margate Carnival moves through the town, the following streets will be closed: Palm Bay Avenue, Eastern Esplanade, Ethelbert Crescent, Fort Crescent, Fort Hill, Marine Drive, Marine Terrace, Canterbury Road ending at Royal Esplanade.
