Last Friday evening the streets of Ryde were filled with colour and entertainment as New Carnival’s seasonal event took place.
New Carnival, in association with Ryde Town Council, brought Merry and Bright back for its third year, and this year it was even bigger and better than ever!
Highlights this year included the ‘Christmas Arena’ at Town Square with a stunning array of entertainment and activities. St Thomas’s Rest Garden was turned into a Neon Garden for the evening with interactive light installations that were very popular with the younger members of the community.
New for this year
New for this year was the food market in St Thomas’ which also proved successful. In Vernon Square there were beautiful installations representing ‘the Land and the Sea’ including brand new ‘Island Coastal Landmarks’ lanterns made by adult learners on one of New Carnival’s recent courses. There was also free facepainting and a variety of local musical performances around the town including Minghella Square and Victoria Arcade.
Ray: Showcasing the enormous talent and creativity of our Island
New Carnival Director Hannah Ray said,
“We had an amazing Merry and Bright event in Ryde on Friday. With huge thanks to Ryde Town Council, IW Community learning, Arts Council England, Raw Samba, Ryde, Ventnor and Newport Carnival Associations, Monkton Arts, Vernon Square Conservation Society, Ryde Business Association, local businesses, the incredible performers, and all our wonderful volunteers who helped to make the event extra special.
“The town was full of Christmas cheer with people out and about enjoying themselves. A proud community event showcasing the enormous talent and creativity of our Island. Merry and Bright brings us all together for a joyous winter celebration.”
The lantern parade
Another highlight of the event was the lantern parade which this year featured: Ryde Carnival Association, Ventnor Carnival Association, Newport Carnival Association, Carni Beats, Ballan the Wrasse fish sculpture mounted on a Keert UK cargo bike, the Monkton Merman puppet created by New Carnival’s Creative Volunteers, and a large number of families who had made lanterns at our school and community lantern making workshops.
Member of New Carnival and Ryde Carnival Association’s Waving The Flag Troupe Kat Allen said,
“[We had] great fun parading through the street with our lanterns. Vernon Square looked amazing with floating jellyfish and light up wildlife!
“It was a great way to kick off the school holidays.”
Share your views
New Carnival and Ryde Town Council are keen to hear from anyone who attended the event.
We’d be grateful if you can complete this quick survey (click on link) so we can continue to develop and improve Merry and Bright for the future.
News shared by Gemma on behalf of New Carnival. Ed
