A touch of the wild west for Ventnor's main carnival procession yesterday (Wednesday). Picture by Robin Crossley.
VIDEO FOOTAGE & GALLERIES
THE RAIN cleared up just in time for this year's Ventnor main carnival procession, drawing huge crowds of spectators to the town's streets.
With music from Raw Samba and the Ventnor Jazz Band, there was a party atmosphere to the parade, while the Vectis Corps of Drums and Medina Marching Band ensured the event retained a traditional flavour, too.
Lots of local businesses and clubs joined in the fun, with the Bon Bon sweet shop's Circus Circus entry and the 3rd Ventnor Scouts' Jungle Book float proving particularly popular.
Other highlights included a colourful Rockpool float from Ventnor Community Projects, a 101 Dalmations entry from Tinto's cafe and a float based on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe from the Ventnor Lions.
The Goulding family scooped several top prizes with their Fish and Flips float, while an Ooh La La entry from the Christa Correira School of Dance and a Treasure Island effort from the Spyglass Inn and Ventnor Yacht Club were also impressive.
The Volunteer pub fielded a topical entry with their Shed a Tear float, which was based on the Island's three-tier education system, as did an eco-float urging people to go green.
There was also a fabulous selection of individual fancy dress outfits on display, from cheerleaders to cowboys to fairies, to the Free Range Cluckers in their chicken costumes.
Jane Goodlet, carnival committee secretary, added: "Everybody in Ventnor gets involved in the carnival, from kids to local businesses. It's such a great local event, and it’s been very hard for the judges because there are so many fantastic entries.
"There are more entries this year and lots of bands, so with the events that have been going on all week it's been a real party."
• Strong winds and torrential rain forced Ventnor Children's Carnival indoors yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, but the horrendous weather did little to dampen the youngsters' excitement.
The Winter Gardens' auditorium was filled to bursting kids of all ages, kitted out in fancy dress costumes ranging from cowboys, clowns and zulu warriors to mermaids, dragons and flamenco dancers.
There was even room for the Vectis Corps of Drums marching band.
• Full coverage, plus results, in the Friday, August 15, County Press.
Ventnor Carnival.
The video file is quite large so may take a few moments to load.
Problems seeing this video? You may need to install Adobe's free Flash player
• Pictures from our online gallery www.iwcpgallery.co.uk below. Click on the image for a larger version.
Ventnor Main Carnival
Ventnor Children's Carnival