Some of the spectacular costumes that will be on show during Ryde Arts Parade. Picture by Robin Crossley.
THE spectacular Blue Touch Carnival Project — Sarava! St George! — will be leading The New Carnival Company’s Arts Parade through Ryde tomorrow afternoon.
Crowds will be treated to a fabulous Rio-style carnival involving more than 100 performers in amazing costumes, samba music, flag bearers and drum queens, plus a huge float depicting St George riding the dragon.
Sarava! St George! has been created by The New Carnival Company and Blue Touch Paper, a new disabled-led carnival project based in Horsham, West Sussex, and has links to Embaixadores da Alegria, Rio de Janeiro’s top disability samba school.
The New Carnival Company has also been working with Shaemakers UK, creators of the fantastic dragon float, local costume artists Jane Pearce, Emma Baxter, Sherrell Davenport and performers from Way Forward, Phoenix group, Hot Green Bus Dance Project (disability dance) and IW College performing arts students.
The parade will set off from Simeon Street Recreation Ground at 3pm via West Hill Road from Ryde Esplanade, Dover Street, Star Street, High Street and Union Street.
The project has not only achieved national recognition as part of the Cultural Olympiad — a four year celebration of the London 2012 Games through arts and culture — but also gained the official 'Inspire’ mark from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games.
The Arts Parade also features entries from many other Island schools and community groups themed on 'A carnival of Festivals’.
Look out for Godshill Primary School’s Bali Kite Festival, Newport CE Primary’s Inca Festival of the Sun, Cowes Primary with St Patrick’s Day, and a fantastic new entry from the Island’s top carnival troupe, Mas Fusion, inspired by English May Day celebrations.
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk