PICTURE GALLERY The spectacular fireworks seen from the beach. Picture by Robin Crossley.
PICTURE GALLERY
SANDOWN was finally able to host a red-hot carnival — the first this year not be disrupted by the weather.
Participants were soaked and windswept during the judging of July’s main carnival, while the illuminated procession in August was cancelled for the first time in living memory.
But hundreds of people turned out for the carnival on Thursday last week, which included an illuminated parade, fire eating, fireworks, live music — and no wind or rain.
"We had been worried about the weather leading up to the carnival but we had some luck and it was great to see a fantastic turnout," said Mary Searle, of Sandown Carnival Committee.
The parade featured carnival favourites Wight Strollers — Young At Heart, who dressed as elderly women and danced with zimmer frames to Hot Chocolate’s You Sexy Thing.
Mas Fusion were outstanding as Casino Royale and Cowes Carnival queens provided some Christmas spirit by dressing in Santa outfits.
Sandown Youth Club and Greenmount Samba Band took part in the parade, from Melville Street to the Esplanade, via the town centre.
On the seafront, 14" Remotes entertained with live music and fire eating was provided by Ryde Extreme Perfomers.
The fireworks finale off the end of Sandown Pier included a display of lights appearing from the surface of the sea.
Parade results
Float entries — 1 Ventnor Carnival Queens, 2 Newport Carnival Queens, 3 Cowes Queens; pedestrian entries — 1 Mas Fusion, 2 Pepper Pig (Alice Aldridge-Snell), 3 Fireworks Display (Ellie Evans).
Reporter: mattw@iwcpmail.co.uk
• Pictures from our online gallery www.iwcpgallery.co.uk below.
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