Carnival season is not far away now, so thanks to Brenda for sending us through the schedule for Ventnor Carnival week in August.
As always, there’s loads to do for residents and visitors and it kicks off on Sunday 12th August with a Variety Show at the Ventnor Winter Gardens.
The Holiday Princesses competition takes place on the Monday – so if you’re coming on holiday to Ventnor with your little princess, make sure you bring her favourite royal outfit. The winner gets the chance to be chauffeured around the town in the main carnival parade.
If you’ve got a dog (and we know there are lots in Ventnor) get yours washed and brushed up for the Scruffs Dog Show on Tuesday 14th.
The Children’s Parade takes place on the Wednesday afternoon and is wonderful to be involved with. The level of effort that kids (and their parents) go to with their costumes is incredible and well worth stepping out for an hour or so to watch them parade through town.
Of course, the Main Carnival procession takes place on Wednesday evening – a time for fun, frivolity and fantasy as the floats parade around the roundabout, accompanied by the brass and samba bands. It’s a magical experience, having so many people crammed onto the streets of Ventnor, all full of joy and happiness. Let’s not forget the Ventnor Comic Jazz Band, in institution in itself.
Listen to the Christmas mayhem of the Jazz Band [audio:http://otw-audio.s3.amazonaws.com/16.Dec.06-Comic-Jazz-Band-xmas-fayre.mp3]
The week continues with Carnival Darts on the Thursday, a Carnival Quiz on the Friday and the grand finale on the evening of Saturday 18th August with the Illuminated Procession.
The Carnival Committee are also hoping to organise a putting competition and petanque match but have yet to be finalised.
Programmes will be available in Seasons, the Bonchurch and St. Lawrence Post Offices and the Spar in Upper Ventnor.
Please make sure you buy a programme, rather than rely upon listings through other publications. All the proceeds from the programme sales go back into the Carnival Fund which help it to survive, without these funds next year’s Carnival could be very different.
As well as giving you full details on times and places of events in the programme, for the nippers, there is the infamous Window Spot competition.
Carnival costume courses are being held in several locations if you’re interested.
So, as you can see a fun packed week for holidaymakers and residents.
