Young people and community groups from across the Isle of Wight are set to take part in a grand parade in Ryde next Saturday (July 7) where they will be showing off their creative carnival skills.

Pupils from local schools and their families – as well as community organisations – will be taking part in the colourful thousand strong parade where they will display carnival costumes themed around great artists and masterpieces.

The Arts Parade has been organised by the Isle of Wight Council’s Arts Unit in conjunction with the Adult and Community Learning Service and runs from Dover Park School through Ryde to the town’s Eastern Esplande Gardens.

Carnival costumes inspired by the works of great artists such as Salvador Dali, Van Gogh and Picasso will be on show following months of work by creative individuals across the Isle of Wight.

Once the parade arrives at Eastern Esplanade, judges including Councillor Melanie Swan, Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet member for Children’s Services, will decide which costume group is best in parade.

Other judges at the event include Paul Ackereley, combined arts officer for Arts Council England and William Lewis from the National Quality Improvement Agency.

Carnival Clubs in schools and community venues have worked tirelessly to produce the costumes with support from the council’s Arts Unit. Staff from the unit have also supported the parade through open workshops and classes in carnival costume making.

Councillor Swan said:

“The Isle of Wight has a deserved reputation as a national leader in developing carnival skills in the local community. This event will help to showcase the many talented individuals on the Island throughout the carnival season.”
Island Pulse