Brighton Carnival 2009!
By Rachel Lackie 27th Apr 2009

Brighton Carnival 2009 will take place between 2 – 7pm on Sunday 12 July when it will parade from Middle Street to Madeira Drive. An expected 15,000 people will line the city streets and dance along with the 600-plus paraders from local community groups, secondary schools and businesses. The carnival is a celebration of everyone who makes up Brighton & Hove and features spectacular and fantastical costumes, steel pan, soca, Brazilian samba and energetic dance plus special appearances from renowned carnival bands from across the UK.

People wanting the best view of the action should gather before 2pm at Middle Street where the groups warm up and prepare before bursting out and dancing through the historic Lanes down to the Brighton Carnival Village on Madeira Drive. The Brighton Carnival Village becomes a festival site as the parade arrives and live music and activities for the whole family are laid out for everyone’s enjoyment right next to the beach. Revellers and paraders refuel from the Caribbean barbeques, refresh with cool drinks before moving inside at 7pm to the Official Carnival Afterparty at Concorde 2.

Brighton Carnival Association is a Community Interest Company and each year raises money to support community groups and businesses to learn the skills to make a spectacular and colourful parade entry. The idea of the parade is to join together on the streets and have one big, loud and exciting day in celebration of everyone who makes up Brighton & Hove. Groups taking part include Sunshine Crew African Caribbean Group, Sons of Sudan Club, R.A.S.P. Refugee and Asylum Project, City Synergy social group for people with sight loss, four youth clubs from across the town, Studioscape youth singing group from Woodingdean, Young Carers Project, plus samba bands, steel bands and soundsystems galore!

A unique aspect of Brighton Carnival is that it is the first low-carbon carnival parade in the UK. The aim is to see people dancing and active on the streets and not on the back of a truck. The vehicles that are on parade will be fuelled by plant oil mixes, electric, solar and pedal-power only.

Brighton Carnival 2009, Sunday 12 July, Middle Street from 2pm - Madeira Drive 7pm

For up-to-date programme information see www.brightoncarnival.co.uk

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