Notting Hill Carnival continued on Monday with the first Senior Day parade since the start of the pandemic.
Caribbean party goers dressed in colorful, bright costumes to match the dancers.
Pam Small, 54, had come from the US for the carnival and was dressed in yellow feathers and an intricate glittery costume. She has traveled to the UK nine times for Carnival and was delighted to be back after Covid.
She said: “I love everything about him. The people, the culture, the diversity – it’s really special to be here.”
Clayde Tavernier, 23, wore a blue feather crown and passers-by stopped to dance and take photos with him. The Dominican dancer, who participates every year, said: “Carnival is the time to be myself, to express who I am. I came from Dominica to be here and have fun.”
Iona Edesiri Thomson and Neve Kearneg, both 18, from London, were watching the parade in Ladbroke Grove, wearing Caribbean green and yellow make-up to represent the Jamaican flag.
Thomson said: “We’ve been since we were kids and this is the first time since Covid. The people are so much fun and I love the food. People cooking their culture’s food is truly amazing.”
Kearneg added: “Usually Britain is very white, but going to Carnival shows that we are a multicultural nation and it’s also great for tourism, which helps our economy.”
Walking in the parade was Rolando Ponde, 34, who wore white platform heels and was covered in white, purple and pink feathers and diamonds. He said: “Carnival is special because it recognizes people with their roots, with their culture. We have our own community here in the UK and at Carnival we can all come together.”
Sharon Decairos, 54, and her sister Samantha Decairos, 53, were sitting in camping chairs next to people partying in the street with Caribbean accessories.
Sharon said: “With Covid we were all stuck inside. That’s what we were missing.”
Her sister added: “We can finally experience our culture again.”
They have been going to the carnival since the 1970s and said the diversity and cultural celebration was what made it special.
The Metropolitan Police said that by 7am on Monday there had been 76 arrests for “a range of different offences”.
Officers said a police horse died in the line of duty during the carnival after it fell at around 9pm on Sunday.
The force said it was too early to determine the cause of death, adding that there would be an investigation.
