CARNIVAL CREATIONS Thinking big is Ashlea Trueman, 13, part of the Mas Fusion display in Sandown Carnival on Wednesday. Picture by Laura Holme.
VIDEO
WITH the sun shining and last year’s rain but a distant memory, organisers of Wednesday’s Sandown Carnival were delighted with both the number and quality of entries.
President Alan Ayres said: "There were more floats than I've seen for a long time and most importantly, they were of a high standard.”
In addition to entries created over several months, some last-minute efforts caught the judges' attention.
Featuring a live band and placed second in the trade category, Pub Life by The Old Comical was created by managers Dave Edwards and Wendy and Helen Blake in just over a day from materials lying around the pub.
The highly commended entry, Little Amazons, by the French family from Cowes, attracted a lot of attention from young onlookers, who couldn't quite believe their eyes.
With Tina and Arron French and their two children, Bethany and Shakira, was family pet Billy, the 7ft-long boa constrictor.
Tina said: "We're busy when Cowes Carnival is on, so we decided last night to take part at Sandown instead and made the costumes today."
Sue Morgan, Lisa Reynolds and Sharon Chapman, The Free Range Cluckers from Sandown, looked cool in their hen and rooster costumes, which had taken four weeks to make.
Sharon said: "We may be henpecked, but we’re not cheap. We're natural cluckers and good-quality Isle of Wight produce, too."
As well as the traditional music from bands including the Vectis Corps of Drums, the carnival marched to a more unusual beat with a number of kazoo bands.
The Super Tooters, a 30-strong band from Sandown Primary, entertained crowds with tunes including The Bee Gees classic, Tragedy.
Reception teacher Jane Booth said: "We're not worried about winning. We're here to take part and have fun."
• Full coverage, including results, in the Friday, August 1, County Press.
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