Ryde on The Isle of Wight was treated to an exhilarating and vibrant event as Mardi Gras returned on Saturday 8th July.
The Isle of Wight Mardi Gras, a highly anticipated annual extravaganza, captivated audiences with a dazzling array of colours, music, and performance.
The Year of the Coast
This year’s event, themed “The Year of the Coast”, was the most extraordinary celebration yet, showcasing the rich tapestry of wildlife, heritage, and culture that make up the Isle of Wight coastline.
The
Isle of Wight Mardi Gras has established itself as a highlight of the
island’s events calendar, attracting thousands of visitors from
across the region and beyond. This year’s festivities kicked off with
a vibrant parade, winding its way through the streets of Ryde,
adorned with flamboyant costumes, fabulous large puppets and
backpacks, and infectious rhythms.
Ray: A remarkable showcase of creativity, talent, and hard work
Hannah Ray, New Carnival Director and event organiser said,
“We were thrilled to showcase and celebrate the ‘Year of the Coast’, bringing people together through the joyous and exuberant atmosphere of Mardi Gras.
“This year’s event was a remarkable showcase of creativity, talent, and hard work by all those involved, and we are delighted that so many were able to join us for this unforgettable celebration.”
A fun-packed day
Attendees enjoyed a day filled with entertainment, as over 20 local school and community groups, both RAW and FAT Samba bands, visiting artist Donna Fox and fashion graduate Joel Lines took to the streets to deliver mesmerizing performances representing all aspects of the Island’s coastline.
Highlights
From energetic dance troupe Zodiac All Star Dance Troupe who visited from Nottingham to the spectacular giant Spiny Seahorse from Cowes Enterprise College, a fantastic giant crab with St Helens Primary School, and the Ballan Wrasse fish sculpture carried on a Keert UK cargo Bike, the parade displayed the wildlife of the Island’s coastline spectacularly.
Other highlights included the fantastic dance performances by Ryde Academy pupils, the Monkton Merman large puppet and the beautiful silk painted flags that marked the start of each section of the parade.
May: Signals to everyone that summer is about to begin
Mayor of Ryde, Richard May said,
“The Mardi Gras is the first significant event in the summer programme in Ryde, and it’s a really, really good one! It allows for everyone to join in the local community and it is brilliant!
“It signals to everyone that the summer is about to begin and there is a real feeling of celebration.”
Mini Mardi Gras
In addition to the main parade, New Carnival also organised Mini Mardi Gras in St Thomas’ Rest Garden in the heart of the town, with an array of activities particularly suited to younger children.
There was crafting with Emma, face painting with Soul Face, circus skills workshops with StixGuyKai and storytelling with Sue Bailey allowing younger children to immerse themselves fully in the spirit of the event.
Andre: It’s a real celebration of all the good things that happen
Councillor for Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Skills Debbie Andre said,
“This is one of the highlights of my year! I’m very much about inclusion and the great thing about Mardi Gras is that everyone can be involved, from children, teachers and parents.
“It is a real celebration and coming together of all the good things that happen within our schools and the community which is of course what being a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is all about, the connection between the community and the environment.
Partners, funders and supporters
The Isle of Wight Mardi Gras 2023 is made possible through the support of Arts Council England and Heritage Lottery Fun, and local sponsors including Ryde Town Council, The Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Wightlink, and community partners including the Isle of Wight Music Hub, Ryde Carnival Association, Ventnor Carnival Association, Monkton Arts, The Way Forward and Carni Beats, who share a commitment to fostering cultural appreciation and promoting the island’s vibrant arts scene.
The event is supported by Executive Command and Island Roads who ensured the parade went so smoothly and safely.
New Carnival would also like to say a special thank you to all their volunteers and freelance artists without whom events such as this simply could not happen!
Complete the audience survey
If you watched the Mardi Gras this weekend New Carnival would be very grateful if you could spare a few minutes to fill out this audience survey for the Arts Council which will help us understand our audience better and make further improvements.
For more information about the Isle of Wight Mardi Gras 2023, including the parade route, performance schedule, and participating artists, please visit the Website or contact Hannah Ray at [email protected]
Image: © Tracy Curtis
News shared by Gemma on behalf of New Carnival. Ed
