Eastbourne enjoyed a great spectacle this Platinum Jubilee weekend, as the carnival took over the town centre and the seafront.
The day began at midday when the Mayor of Eastbourne officially opened the carnival at the Enterprise Shopping Centre.
The parade made its way along Terminus Road and a number of participants wore costumes from the Notting Hill Carnival, accompanied by local Eastbourne drumming group The Stix, local dancers Cherry Dance, and Dolly Delicious the Stilt Walker.
The main parade got underway at 2pm and thousands of spectators on the seafront were treated to over 40 Carnival entrants which included local musicians, dancers, performers, charities and businesses. They had all invested a significant amount of time in their costumes, performances and floats in preparation for the event.
Carnival Chair Mina O’Brien of Ditzy Media, and Christina Ewbank, Chief Executive of Eastbourne & District Chamber of Commerce, got into the spirit by participating in the opening section wearing colourful carnival costumes.
Christina said: “What an amazing Eastbourne Carnival this year! Public feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The weather was kind to us and the atmosphere was great. Mina and her team did a terrific job attracting carnival acts from Notting Hill and as far away as Bolivia! Local groups from East Sussex excelled themselves as well with music, dancing, fancy dress and even formation skating. Next year will be even bigger and better.”
Mina said “It was a privilege to look after the carnival for the town that I love, on such an important, historic weekend. To be given the opportunity by Stephen Lloyd to work with the Eastbourne Carnival Committee as chair to create this event was an honour. I would like to thank the committee, and everyone involved for their support and positive feedback.”
Eastbourne Borough Council leader David Tutt said he was delighted with this year’s carnival and the enthusiasm of the spectators. “It was a hugely successful day and I was so pleased that we had large crowds and great weather to welcome the participants. I know that Mina and the committee will build on this and I am already looking forward to Carnival 2023.”
A competition is currently underway with everyone voting for their favourite Carnival entrants.
The committee is already planning Eastbourne Carnival 2023 and a date will be announced very soon.